are operated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are operated on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing procedures or actions being performed on something, often in medical or technical settings. Example: "The patients are operated on by a team of skilled surgeons in the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If radial head fractures are operated on, one should consider intraoperative tests to check for longitudinal forearm instability (Smith et al. 2002, Soubeyrand et al. 2006).

Acta Orthopaedica

Successive milling operations are operated on the chunk to extract posts [29].

Nanoscale Research Letters

But Dr. Goff and other researchers have found that 25percentt of ovarian cancer patients are operated on by surgeons who see only one case a year, and 33percentt in hospitals that treat fewer than 10 cases a year.

The New York Times - Health

But many women, she said, are operated on by general surgeons and gynecologists.

The New York Times - Health

One-quarter to three-quarters of men who are operated on suffer from impotence, Dr. Albertsen said.

The New York Times - Health

At least 60 apartments are operated on a rental basis in Hudson View West, Empire State Properties said.

The New York Times

They still will have only a very limited influence on where they are operated on, and by whom.

The Economist

However, many branches are operated on a franchise basis, and owners fear their profitability would be hit if they are forced to pay higher wages than a nearby outlet.

The Guardian

Too many women are operated on by gynecologists or general surgeons, Dr. Goff said, adding that ovarian cancer operations should be done by gynecologic oncologists, who train specifically in cancer surgery.

The New York Times - Health

I love the feisty heroine, the twists and turns of the plot and the fully realised future world in which all young people are operated on at the age of 16 in order to make them blandly, uniformly beautiful.

The Guardian

The five air-conditioned rooms, each with bath, are operated on a bed-and-breakfast basis, making them ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in old Naples.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical procedures, use "are operated on" to clearly indicate that a surgical procedure is performed on a patient. This is especially important in medical reports or patient communications to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are operated on" in contexts that don't involve a physical procedure. For abstract processes or systems, alternatives like "are managed", "are controlled", or "are influenced" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are operated on" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (often a patient or a system) is the recipient of an action (surgery or a process). As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are operated on" is grammatically correct and most commonly used in scientific and news contexts to describe surgical procedures or processes being performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the context; medical reports benefit from its precision, while non-medical contexts may require more suitable alternatives. While very common, understanding its register and potential for overuse is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergo surgery

This alternative focuses specifically on the medical context of surgical procedures.

are subjected to surgery

This alternative emphasizes the patient's experience of being acted upon.

are treated surgically

This option highlights the method of treatment rather than the action itself.

receive surgical intervention

This formal alternative underscores the active role of medical professionals.

are put under the knife

This is an informal expression that describes a medical procedure that involves cutting the body.

are machined

This term is used to describe the removal of materials from a workpiece to produce a specific design using machines.

are processed

This term is used when describing a step-by-step manipulation of data by computers, which includes storing, retrieving, sorting, merging, and reporting.

are handled

This term describes a process of dealing with something or someone. This typically requires tact or skill.

are utilized

This term describes when something is put to a practical use.

are managed

This term implies a process of controlling or organizing something.

FAQs

What does "are operated on" mean?

The phrase "are operated on" typically means that a person or object is undergoing a surgical procedure or a process where something is being acted upon. It's commonly used in medical contexts to describe patients undergoing surgery.

When should I use "undergo surgery" instead of "are operated on"?

While both phrases are used in medical contexts, "undergo surgery" emphasizes the patient's experience, whereas "are operated on" focuses on the action performed by the surgeon. Use "undergo surgery" when highlighting the patient's journey and "are operated on" when describing the medical procedure itself.

Are there non-medical uses for "are operated on"?

Yes, although less common, "are operated on" can be used metaphorically to describe processes or systems being acted upon or manipulated. However, ensure the context is appropriate to avoid confusion. Using phrases like "are managed" or "are controlled" might be better in non-medical scenarios.

Is "are operated on by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are operated on by" is grammatically correct. It clarifies who is performing the action. For example, "The patients are operated on by a team of skilled surgeons."