a routine operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a routine operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a procedure or task that is performed regularly and is considered standard practice. Example: "The surgeon explained that the procedure was a routine operation and that the patient would recover quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year later a routine operation almost killed him when the anaesthetic procedure went wrong, and last year he resigned over plans to give limited autonomy to Corsica.

The Guardian

"It was a condition he'd operated on many times, and in the civilised world it's a routine operation.

BBC

He died in New York Hospital, after a routine operation, in 1987.

The New Yorker

An army spokeswoman said that the Palestinians had fired at Israeli forces on a routine operation.

The New York Times

The club said he would have a "routine operation" shortly and be out for six months.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite these difficulties, kidney transplant has now become a routine operation in most developed countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several years earlier, she had come in for a routine operation.

The New York Times

Then a routine operation to insert a gastrointestinal tube led to sepsis and a six-week stay in the intensive care unit, where yesterday morning he was readmitted.

The New York Times

In between his wife, Eileen, died in hospital in London during a routine operation to remove a growth in her womb.

The Guardian - Books

In the 1980s, Lucy, an aspiring writer, ends up spending nine weeks in hospital when she develops complications following what was supposed to be a routine operation.

The Guardian - Books

By the end of the year, people will be offered a choice of five hospitals - including a private provider - in which to have a routine operation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a routine operation", ensure the context clearly indicates that the procedure is standard and carries minimal expected risk. This helps avoid misleading the audience about the complexity or potential dangers involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a routine operation" to describe procedures that may have significant risks or complications, even if they are frequently performed. This can downplay the potential for adverse outcomes and mislead patients or readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a routine operation" functions as a noun phrase, where "routine" acts as an adjective modifying "operation". Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing medical and military procedures, indicating a well-established and standardized process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a routine operation" is a frequently used phrase to describe a standard, low-risk procedure, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse sources—particularly News & Media—it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects the operation's simplicity to avoid misleading readers. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and provides examples that shows the phrase in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standard procedure

Replaces 'routine' with 'standard', emphasizing conformity to established practice.

a common procedure

Substitutes 'routine' with 'common', highlighting the frequency of the operation.

a typical procedure

Replaces 'routine' with 'typical', indicating that the operation is representative of its kind.

a regular operation

Uses 'regular' instead of 'routine', focusing on the consistent and predictable nature of the operation.

a standard practice

Shifts from 'operation' to 'practice', broadening the scope to include non-surgical procedures.

a commonplace procedure

Emphasizes the ordinariness of the procedure by using 'commonplace'.

an everyday procedure

Highlights the frequency of the operation, suggesting it occurs regularly.

a run-of-the-mill procedure

Indicates that the procedure is ordinary and unremarkable.

a bread-and-butter procedure

Suggests the procedure is a fundamental and essential part of a practice.

a garden-variety procedure

Emphasizes the common and unexceptional nature of the procedure.

FAQs

How is "a routine operation" used in a sentence?

The phrase "a routine operation" describes a medical procedure that is standard and commonly performed. For example, "The doctor assured him that the surgery was "a routine operation" with a high success rate."

What are some alternatives to "a routine operation"?

Alternatives include "a standard procedure", "a common procedure", or "a typical procedure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it accurate to describe every frequently performed surgery as "a routine operation"?

Not necessarily. While many surgeries are performed frequently, the term "a routine operation" should only be used when the procedure is also considered low-risk and standardized. A frequently performed surgery might still carry significant risks.

What makes an operation qualify as "a routine operation"?

An operation is typically considered "a routine operation" if it is performed frequently, follows a standard procedure, and has a low risk of complications. The term implies that the surgery is well-established and predictable.