inoperative vs operative

inoperative is not a noun while operative is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
inoperative	No	Yes	No	No
operative	Yes	Yes	No	No

inoperative (noun)	operative (noun)
	someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information and assist in criminal investigations
	a person secretly employed in espionage for a government

inoperative (adjective)	operative (adjective)
not working or taking effect	being in force or having or exerting force
	relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
	(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
	effective; producing a desired effect