vulnerable to operate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulnerable to operate" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to imply a susceptibility or weakness in the context of operation, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The system is vulnerable to operate under high-stress conditions, leading to potential failures."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Whitley and Hampden were too vulnerable to operate near enemy coastlines without heavy fighter escort.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This may have reflected the increased readiness of surgeons to operate on vulnerable patients and/or their undertaking of more-radical operations; either way, surgical ambition in cancer hospitals probably made more work for physicians.

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

The Pentagon has proposed retiring 33 of the 93-plane force, arguing the planes are costly to operate and highly vulnerable to enemy air defenses.

The New York Times

Why do substandard facilities continue to operate at the expense of their vulnerable residents?

The New York Times

The party, the National League for Democracy, has continued to operate despite the ban, leaving it vulnerable to government crackdowns.

The New York Times

Data centers require enormous amounts of energy to operate and cool servers, leaving them vulnerable to high electricity costs and criticism from environmental groups.

The New York Times

He taught seminars on how to operate undetected on the Web, and how to hack into vulnerable Web sites and upload material onto them.

The New York Times - Books

The United States, he says, needs to restructure the military to allow it to operate at greater distances from home and become "less reliant on vulnerable forward bases".

The New York Times

"Italian banks are particularly vulnerable to adverse operating conditions," the ratings agency said in a statement.

The New York Times

He blamed a tendency among Iraqi police to operate as individuals rather than in cohesive units, and said this made them more vulnerable to insurgents' intimidation.

The New York Times

This leaves the assessment of outcomes and decisions to re-operate vulnerable to bias.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential operational weaknesses, replace "vulnerable to operate" with clearer and more precise alternatives such as "susceptible to failure", "prone to malfunction", or "at risk of disruption" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "vulnerable to operate" when you actually mean "ready to operate" or "capable of operating". The former suggests a weakness, while the latter indicates preparedness and ability. If the intention is to say that something is not ready, use a phrase like "not yet ready to operate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vulnerable to operate" attempts to express a state of susceptibility when something is in operation. However, the phrasing is non-idiomatic and grammatically questionable, according to Ludwig. The intended function is to describe a weakness or potential for harm during operation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vulnerable to operate" is identified by Ludwig AI as grammatically awkward and uncommon. While the individual words are frequently used, their combination is not standard English. The analysis suggests using clearer, more precise alternatives, such as "susceptible to failure", "prone to malfunction", or "at risk of disruption". These alternatives enhance clarity and professionalism, particularly in formal contexts. Ludwig’s assessment highlights the importance of precise language when discussing potential risks or weaknesses in operational scenarios. Therefore, while the phrase may be encountered, it is best to opt for more conventional phrasing to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to operation

Replaces "vulnerable" with a direct synonym, maintaining the overall meaning but sounding slightly more formal.

prone to malfunction

Shifts the focus to potential failure, implying a higher likelihood of operational issues.

at risk of failure

Emphasizes the danger of not succeeding, highlighting the potential negative outcome.

easily disrupted

Focuses on the ease with which the operation can be interrupted or stopped.

liable to break down

Highlights the potential for mechanical or system failure during operation.

open to exploitation

Suggests a weakness that can be used against the system or process, often in a security context.

sensitive to interference

Emphasizes the susceptibility to external factors affecting the operation.

weak under pressure

Highlights a specific condition (pressure) that can cause the operation to fail.

unstable during use

Focuses on the lack of steadiness or reliability while the operation is in progress.

compromised when running

Indicates that the operation's integrity is weakened while it is active.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "vulnerable to operate"?

Instead of "vulnerable to operate", consider using phrases like "susceptible to failure", "prone to malfunction", or "at risk of disruption" for improved clarity.

How can I use the idea of operational vulnerability in a sentence?

Instead of "The system is vulnerable to operate", you might say, "The system is "susceptible to failure" under high stress" or "The process is "prone to malfunction" during peak hours".

What's the difference between "vulnerable to operate" and "vulnerable during operation"?

"Vulnerable during operation" is more grammatically sound and conveys that the vulnerability exists while the operation is ongoing. "Vulnerable to operate" is awkward and less common.

When should I use "susceptible" instead of "vulnerable" in the context of operations?

The terms are largely interchangeable, but "susceptible" often implies a higher degree of sensitivity or likelihood. You might use "susceptible" when describing a system that is easily affected by minor changes, while "vulnerable" might suggest susceptibility to significant harm or damage.