a successful operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a successful operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to medical procedures, business activities, or any situation where an action or process achieves its intended outcome. Example: "The surgeon reported that it was a successful operation, and the patient is recovering well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In two patients (one in each arm, stage IIIa and IIIb), after a PR, the disease was considered operable and a successful operation was carried out.

Annals of Oncology

British glider-borne forces contributed to the air assault © A successful operation required air superiority and tactical and operational surprise.

BBC

He described it as a "successful operation".

The New York Times

A successful operation, they declared on their return.

The Economist

A successful operation this summer helped Gulvar walk.

The New York Times

The battered intelligence community should now be basking in the glory of a successful operation.

The New York Times

"He has had what all indications suggest was a successful operation.

Independent

A botched — or even a successful — operation would piss off a friendly foreign government.

The New Yorker

But a successful operation would also have benefited Mr Maliki himself.

The Economist

Sienna left the hospital in early March, two weeks after a successful operation repaired her aorta.

The New York Times

"This was a successful operation" declared Roilo Golez, national security adviser to the Philippine president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a successful operation" to highlight not just completion, but positive results. It implies the goal was met.

Common error

Avoid using "a successful operation" when the outcome is still uncertain or has potential negative side effects. Maintaining neutrality is key, and in such cases you should use a different phrase. For example, use "the operation" or "the procedure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a successful operation" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "successful" is an adjective modifying the noun "operation". This phrase describes an action or procedure that has achieved its intended goal or outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a successful operation" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the positive outcome of a specific action or procedure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using the expression, ensure that the context aligns with the achievement of a favorable result, and choose synonyms carefully to reflect subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive outcome

Focuses solely on the result, without specifying the process.

a resounding success

Emphasizes the magnitude and impact of the achievement.

a fruitful endeavor

Emphasizes the productive nature of the effort, focusing on the results achieved.

a beneficial procedure

Focuses on the helpfulness and positive impact of the action.

an effective intervention

Suggests a targeted action that produced the desired effect.

a victorious undertaking

Highlights the aspect of overcoming challenges and achieving victory.

a favorable resolution

Highlights the positive settling of a situation or problem.

a job well done

Implies competence and satisfactory completion of a task.

a worthwhile project

Emphasizes the value and positive contribution of the undertaking.

a thriving business

Highlights the operational and economic success of an organization.

FAQs

How can I use "a successful operation" in a sentence?

You can use "a successful operation" to describe any endeavor that has achieved its intended outcome. For example: "The surgery was "a successful operation", and the patient is recovering well."

What can I say instead of "a successful operation"?

You can use alternatives like "a positive outcome", "a fruitful endeavor", or "a resounding success" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to describe surgery as "a successful operation"?

While often used in medical contexts, describing surgery as ""a successful operation"" is most accurate when the intended goals of the surgery have been achieved. It's important to consider potential complications or ongoing recovery when using this phrase.

What's the difference between ""a successful operation"" and "an effective intervention"?

"A successful operation" generally refers to a specific action or procedure that has achieved its goal, while "an effective intervention" implies a broader strategy or set of actions that have led to a positive change or outcome.