What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
action
Example
He took action and ran towards the burning building. [action: noun]
Example
The company's new marketing campaign is designed to drive action from potential customers. [action: verb]
operation
Example
The operation to rescue the trapped miners was successful. [operation: noun]
Example
The factory had to shut down for maintenance and operation checks. [operation: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Action is more commonly used than operation in everyday language. Action is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while operation is more specialized and often used in technical or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between action and operation?
Operation is generally considered more formal than action. It is often used in technical or specialized contexts, such as medicine, engineering, or business, where precision and accuracy are important.
