get surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

"get surgery" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone schedule and receive a medical procedure in order to treat an injury or illness. For example: Mary fractured her ankle and was advised by her doctor to get surgery to ensure it healed properly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Nobody wants to get surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't necessarily want them to get surgery".

The New York Times

"And, if it does, I'll have to get surgery then".

The New York Times

If I don't get surgery, what's going to happen?

The New York Times - Sports

She said everybody wanted it – they were biting her hand off to get surgery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without insurance, John has been unable to get surgery or even help managing the pain.

The New York Times

The joint's pretty degenerated and it's not going to recover until I get surgery on it.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm going to get surgery and be back at it like I never left,' " Behanan said.

The New York Times - Sports

For the carcinoma, I'll get surgery and a bevy of stitches.

The New York Times

"When you've got as many millions as Caitlyn Jenner does, it's really easy to get surgery done," says Gaynor.

The Guardian

Fast forward two decades and I've helped build an organisation designed to help women like Mary get surgery to give them back their health.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get surgery", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is receiving the surgery and why. This phrase is generally used in informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "get surgery" when a more specific term like "undergo surgery" or "have an operation" would provide clarity, especially in formal or medical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get surgery" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, where "get" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the noun "surgery." It indicates the action of receiving or undergoing a surgical procedure. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get surgery" is a common and generally acceptable way to express undergoing a surgical procedure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While "get surgery" is widely used, it is important to consider the context. More formal alternatives, such as "undergo surgery" or "receive surgical treatment", may be more appropriate for professional or academic settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, followed by Wiki sources, reflecting its accessibility and general understanding. When using "get surgery", ensure clarity about who is receiving the surgery and the reason for the procedure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergo surgery

Replaces "get" with "undergo", which is a more formal way to express the action of having surgery.

have an operation

Substitutes "surgery" with "operation", providing a common synonym.

be operated on

Uses a passive voice to express the action of receiving surgery.

have surgery performed

Emphasizes the action being done by medical professionals.

receive surgical treatment

Replaces "get surgery" with a more formal and clinical term, focusing on the treatment aspect.

go in for surgery

Implies that someone is scheduling or preparing to undergo surgery.

go under the knife

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate undergoing surgery.

need surgical intervention

Highlights the medical need for surgical procedures.

be subjected to surgery

Suggests surgery is an unavoidable or necessary measure.

require surgery

Shifts focus to the necessity of surgery, rather than the act of getting it.

FAQs

How can I use "get surgery" in a sentence?

You can use "get surgery" to indicate that someone will undergo a surgical procedure. For example, "The doctor recommended that she "get surgery" to repair her torn ligament."

What's a more formal alternative to "get surgery"?

A more formal alternative is to "undergo surgery". This phrasing is often preferred in medical or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "get an operation" instead of "get surgery"?

Yes, "get an operation" is a common and acceptable alternative to "get surgery", although "surgery" is more specific.

When should I avoid using the phrase "get surgery"?

While generally acceptable, "get surgery" might be too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Consider using a more formal phrase like "receive surgical treatment" in such cases.