operatives
operatives — noun
- operativessingular
- operativesesplural
1. people who work with their hands in a skilled trade, such as machinery operators
people who work with their hands in a skilled trade, such as machinery operators, factory workers, or craftspersons whose job requires technical training rather than academic qualifications.
The factory operatives walked out when management cut their bonuses before the holiday season.
plural subject + possessive 'their'
All operatives at the textile mill must wear safety goggles and thick gloves.
collocation: 'operatives at [workplace]'
Skilled operatives from the steel plant repaired the damaged conveyor belt within hours.
The company hired twenty new operatives fresh out of the technical training program.
- workers
broader term; includes any employed person, not just hands-on trades
- craftspersons
focuses on skilled artistic or traditional trades, narrower than 'operative'
- technicians
implies specialised technical training, often in repair or maintenance
文法句型
plural noun as subject/object
用法筆記
In this sense, the singular form 'operative' is also used, but the plural 'operatives' commonly refers to a group of manual or technical workers in industrial settings.
常見錯誤
2. people employed by a government, political group, or private organisation to car
people employed by a government, political group, or private organisation to carry out undercover work such as gathering secret information, infiltrating groups, or conducting covert missions.
Government operatives were sent to gather intelligence on the rebel camps across the border.
collocation: 'government operatives' gathering intelligence
The undercover operatives spent eighteen months infiltrating the drug smuggling ring before making arrests.
Intelligence operatives from at least three different agencies were monitoring the same suspect.
Rohan suspected that foreign operatives had accessed the embassy's encrypted communication system.
文法句型
plural noun as subject/object
用法筆記
This sense is common in news and crime fiction. 'Operatives' can refer to agents working for governments (CIA, MI6), political campaigns, or criminal organisations. The term avoids specifying the type of secret work.
常見錯誤
operatives — adjective
- operativespositive
- more operativescomparative
- most operativessuperlative
1. describes a system, machine, piece of equipment, or process that is currently wo
describes a system, machine, piece of equipment, or process that is currently working, functioning, or in active use rather than being shut down, broken, or out of service.
The new heating system became operative just before the coldest weeks arrived.
predicative: 'became operative'
Once the software upgrade is complete, all twenty payment terminals will be operative again.
The dam's five floodgates remained operative throughout the heavy rain season.
Only one of the three security cameras is still operative after the lightning strike.
- working
informal equivalent; used in everyday speech
- functional
similar formality; emphasises correct operation rather than mere activity
- running
informal; often used for engines and continuous processes
- inoperative
direct opposite; not working or out of order
文法句型
be + operative
operative + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or technical writing about infrastructure, machinery, and systems. 'Working' or 'running' are the informal alternatives. This sense is almost never used of people — e.g. you would not say 'the nurse is operative today.'
常見錯誤
2. relating to a surgical operation on a patient's body, including the procedures,
relating to a surgical operation on a patient's body, including the procedures, risks, instruments, and care before, during, or after the surgery itself.
The patient was informed about all operative risks before signing the consent form for surgery.
collocation: 'operative risks'
Dr. Okafor walked the intern through the standard operative procedures for a knee replacement.
collocation: 'operative procedures'
Post-operative care includes pain management and daily wound checks for at least two weeks.
The surgical team reviewed the operative plan before wheeling the patient into the theatre.
- surgical
much more common in general speech; 'operative' is more formal/technical
- non-operative
medical treatments that do not involve surgery, e.g. medication or physiotherapy
文法句型
operative + noun (procedure, risk, care)
用法筆記
Nearly always used attributively before a noun ('operative risks', 'operative procedures'). The prefix 'post-' or 'pre-' combines with 'operative' to form common medical terms: 'post-operative', 'pre-operative'. In everyday conversation, 'surgical' is far more common.
常見錯誤
3. producing the intended or necessary result; having the power to bring about a de
producing the intended or necessary result; having the power to bring about a desired effect, especially in formal, legal, or strategic contexts.
The new security protocol proved operative in stopping data breaches at the government agency.
predicative: 'proved operative in [doing]'
The safety council's new measures proved operative in reducing workplace accidents by forty percent.
predicative: 'proved operative in [gerund]'
The ceasefire remained operative only briefly before both sides accused each other of violations.
The court ruled the old treaty was still operative and binding on all signatory nations.
- effective
the everyday equivalent; far more common in all registers
- efficacious
even more formal; used mostly in medical and scientific contexts
- powerful
emphasises strength of effect rather than suitability
- ineffective
fails to produce the desired result
- inoperative
not functioning; overlaps with sense 1
文法句型
be + operative
用法筆記
This is the rarest adjectival sense of 'operative'. In almost all situations, 'effective' is the more natural and common choice. Reserve 'operative' for formal writing where a slight legal or technical tone is desired.