has been operated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been operated on" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a patient who has had surgery, for example: "The patient has been operated on and is expected to make a full recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It has been operated on twice previously.

The Guardian - Sport

It was the fourth time his right knee has been operated on since 1997.

The New York Times - Sports

He was suffering from a hernia but he has been operated on twice now in Equatorial Guinea.

The Guardian

On his Web site, Woods said that he irritated his knee, which has been operated on four times, and Achilles' tendon.

The New York Times - Sports

JUPITER, Fla .— The Mets have serious concerns about the health of Jason Isringhausen's right elbow, which has been operated on six times, most recently in 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

He says he is free of the cancer for which he has been operated on three times though his rallies have been noticeably fewer, and smaller, than in past campaigns.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Washington has been operating on autopilot when it comes to transportation matters.

The New York Times

Pandaw, which has been operating on the Mekong since 2003, decided to venture north this winter, since the Mekong has become overcrowded with cruise traffic.

Independent

Belsat TV works out of small offices in Warsaw, where it has been operating on an annual budget of €6 million, or $8 million.

The New York Times

Johnson, primarily an expert on geology and rock formations, has been operating on the theory that he is digging up a single mastodon.

The Guardian

The school district, which has been operating on austerity budgets for three years, is seeking voter approval for a $100 million bond issue at the end of this month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been operated on", ensure the context clearly indicates the body part or condition that was the subject of the surgery. For example, "His knee has been operated on twice" is more specific and informative.

Common error

While "has been operated on" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound indirect. Consider using active voice constructions where appropriate, such as "Surgeons operated on the patient's knee" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been operated on" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has received a surgical procedure. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a past action performed on a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

41%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been operated on" is a common phrase used to indicate that a subject has undergone a surgical procedure. As Ludwig AI points out, this passive construction is grammatically correct and broadly applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and medical reporting. While generally neutral in register, it's important to specify the body part or condition for clarity. For a more active voice, consider using alternatives such as "underwent surgery". Remember to use specific language when communicating about surgery to be as clear as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent surgery

Focuses on the action the patient experienced rather than the state after.

had surgery performed

Emphasizes the action of surgery being done.

received surgical intervention

A more formal way to state that surgery was performed.

was subjected to an operation

Highlights that a patient was the recipient of a surgical procedure.

had a procedure

A less specific term when the type of surgery is not emphasized.

has undergone a surgical procedure

Focuses on the process and patient's experience.

was treated surgically

Focuses on the method of treatment, rather than the operation itself.

went under the knife

An informal way to refer to undergoing surgery.

has been through surgery

Suggests a completed experience of undergoing surgery.

had an operation

A more general term indicating a surgical event.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been operated on"?

It means that a surgical procedure has been performed on a person or object. It indicates that an operation has taken place to treat a condition or repair damage.

How can I rephrase "has been operated on" to sound more active?

You can use alternatives like "underwent surgery" or "had surgery performed" to make the sentence more active. For example, instead of "The patient has been operated on", you could say "The patient underwent surgery".

Is it always necessary to specify what "has been operated on"?

In most cases, specifying the body part or object that "has been operated on" is helpful for clarity. For instance, saying "His knee has been operated on" provides more information than simply stating "He has been operated on".

What's the difference between "has been operated on" and "is recovering from surgery"?

"Has been operated on" indicates that the surgical procedure is complete, while "is recovering from surgery" implies that the patient is in the post-operative phase and undergoing healing.