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I realize that "inoperative" is probably a better choice, in most cases. However, I've seen the word "inoperational" used in various journal articles and books (some by noted scholars in their respective fields). However, I cannot find the word in any dictionary that I've consulted thus far. I was wondering if anyone had clues as to the etymology and proper usage of "inoperational" (or if it's just a flukey neologism and shouldn't be used). Thank you.
Operational has long been used and has many derivatives. Inoperational may be a new, but not particularly good, one. Its meaning is clear and etymology could be described as the in- (prefix) coupled onto operational.
If you like, continue to use inoperative and ignore what the scholars happen to do.
in addition to inoperative, nonoperational appears to be a standard alternative found, at least in passing, in several online dictionaries:
Oxford
Collins
MacMillan
Merriam-Webster
I don't find *inoperational at all.
Still, it is perfectly understandable, and I can see using it as a coinage in ink- or air quotes. While I wouldn't correct anyone for using it unless it was my job to do so, I would avoid it in any serious writing of my own.
Google Ngrams claims to find only one instance of inoperational, with the most abundant choice inoperative.
Google Ngram
But Google books finds lots of instances of inoperational. While some might be credible, after a quick glance, I don't find any of them particularly compelling. Please note that while many folks may be experts in their field, even they would not hold themselves up as standards for speaking or writing. Now, if you find someone who is an expert in a language-related field who uses inoperational, I would have to backpedal.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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