operate on vs operate in

Both 'operate on' and 'operate in' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Operate on' is used when referring to performing a procedure or action on something or someone, while 'operate in' is used when talking about functioning or working within a particular environment or system.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 325 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"operate on"

Use 'operate on' when referring to performing a procedure or action on something or someone, such as in medical procedures or technical operations.

Examples:

The surgeon will operate on the patient tomorrow.
The mechanic will operate on the engine to fix the issue.
The IT specialist will operate on the computer network to improve its performance.

Show examples from the web [+]

Cannot operate on gray or indexed color images.
Let alone allow you to operate on him.
Colorize does not operate on grayscale layers.
All commands may be prefixed by a line number to operate on that line.
Computer memory caches usually operate on blocks of memory that consist of several consecutive words.
The construction is designed to operate on 4 bits per clock cycle.
The map and filter functions operate on individual list elements in isolation.
Real Masters, and co-disciples, operate on a more silent level.
Savigliano is able to operate on electromechanical systems and components for hydroelectric generating stations.
Operating times: All tours operate on a daily basis and during holidays.
We operate on a logarithmic scale.
This can operate on many scales and levels.
Analog phones operate on an older and less effective technology.
I had a middle-aged guy, operate on his gallstones...
Normally I do not operate on Sunday.
Giant corporations operate on a global level.
Two: operate on the right scale.
I don't usually operate on Indians.
I just find it hard to operate on the opposite assumption.
Wouldn't want to operate on anyone really sick.

Alternatives:

perform surgery on
work on
conduct an operation on
manipulate
treat

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"operate in"

Use 'operate in' when talking about functioning or working within a particular environment or system, such as in business operations or organizational settings.

Examples:

The company operates in over 20 countries.
The team operates in a highly competitive market.
The organization operates in accordance with strict guidelines.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Structural Funds cannot operate in isolation.
Wireless networks can operate in one of two modes: infrastructure or ad hoc.
On a sub you have to operate in close quarters.
The XTA-TXS transmitter is designed to operate in pair with the XTA-RXS receiver.
Cavalry cannot operate in such thick woods.
Transparent modems operate in a manner similar to their phone line modem cousins.
The pump, thanks to the electronic control, can operate in five modes.
The AR-TX100S transmitter is designed to operate in pair with the AR-RX100S receiver.
Pegaso A-Cough can operate in manual, automatic and auto-adaptive modes.
Yet they also had to operate in that world.
And the Avengers operate in the spotlight.
Take extra care as pickpockets operate in this crowded market.
Similar price raising mechanisms operate in many of our countries.
Some energy-intensive sectors or industries operate in a fiercely competitive international market.
These holdings operate in a traditional and environmentally-friendly manner.
The latter in particular operate in high-technology sectors.
We operate in 95 countries worldwide Register now.
Modern cameras can operate in several power saving mode.
You operate in Australia and New Caledonia, unusual places.
Ranges operate in ASCII collating sequence.

Alternatives:

function in
work within
conduct operations in
operate within
run in

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operate on vs operate in

"operate on"

"operate in"

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