had surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had surgery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "had surgery" when describing a medical procedure that a person underwent. For example, "Jane had surgery to repair a torn ligament in her knee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tracy had surgery Monday.

The New York Times

I had surgery".

The New Yorker

She had surgery to….

The New Yorker

"And I've had surgery.

The New York Times

She has never had surgery.

The New Yorker

"He had surgery, didn't play.

The New York Times - Sports

He had surgery Oct. 20.

The New York Times - Sports

He had surgery in February.

The New York Times

You just had surgery".

The New Yorker

We both had surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

He has had surgery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's medical history, be specific about the type of surgery they "had" to provide clarity and context. For example, "He had heart surgery" is more informative than just "He had surgery".

Common error

Avoid using "had surgery" without specifying the body part or type of surgery. Being vague can lead to confusion or require further clarification from the reader. Instead of saying "She had surgery", specify "She had knee surgery" or "She had surgery to remove a tumor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had surgery" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject experienced or underwent a surgical operation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing medical treatments and procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had surgery" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express that someone underwent a surgical procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence in news and media sources demonstrates its widespread use. While generally neutral in register, it is important to provide specific details about the surgery when possible to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "underwent an operation" or "received surgical treatment" can be used for variety, though "had surgery" remains a direct and widely understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a surgical procedure

More formal and specific, replacing "surgery" with "surgical procedure".

underwent an operation

Replaces "surgery" with "operation" and "had" with "underwent", focusing on the action of undergoing a medical procedure.

had a medical operation

Substitutes "surgery" with the more general term "medical operation".

went through surgery

Emphasizes the process or experience of undergoing surgery.

received surgical treatment

Emphasizes the reception of medical treatment of a surgical nature.

was treated surgically

Focuses on the method of treatment, highlighting its surgical nature.

was operated on

Uses passive voice to highlight the action performed on the subject.

experienced surgical intervention

Uses more formal language to describe a surgical intervention.

obtained surgical care

Focuses on the acquisition of surgical care.

went under the knife

An idiomatic expression indicating a surgical procedure, adding a more informal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "had surgery" to indicate that someone underwent a surgical procedure. For example, "The patient "had surgery" to repair a torn ligament."

What are some alternatives to saying "had surgery"?

Alternatives include "underwent an operation", "received surgical treatment", or "was operated on", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "had surgery" or "underwent surgery"?

Both "had surgery" and "underwent surgery" are correct, but "had surgery" is generally more common in everyday language. "Underwent surgery" might be preferred in more formal or medical contexts.

What's the difference between "had surgery" and "had a surgical procedure"?

"Had surgery" is a more concise and common way to express that someone underwent a surgical operation. "Had a surgical procedure" is more formal and specific, emphasizing the nature of the medical intervention.