have surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

"have surgery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when referring to someone having an operation or medical procedure. Example sentence: After breaking her leg, Linda had to have surgery to repair the damage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't have surgery.

The New York Times - Magazine

She will have surgery.

The New York Times

Then why have surgery?

The Guardian

I'd never have surgery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She would later have surgery.

The Washington Post

To have surgery was nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

He will have surgery Wednesday...

The New York Times

He will have surgery today.

The New York Times - Sports

Rodriguez will have surgery Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

He'll have surgery on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

If he cannot, he will have surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add clarity, specify the type of surgery when possible. For example, instead of saying "He had surgery", say "He had heart surgery".

Common error

Avoid using overly informal expressions like "get surgery" in professional or formal writing. While acceptable in casual conversation, "have surgery" or "undergo an operation" is generally preferred in more formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have surgery" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of undergoing a surgical procedure. It's a common way to express the need for or the anticipation of a surgical operation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have surgery" is a common and correct way to express undergoing a surgical procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the formality of the setting when choosing alternative expressions. For example, "undergo an operation" might be more suitable for formal writing. Remember to specify the type of surgery when possible to provide more clarity. Avoiding overly informal alternatives in professional contexts will enhance the clarity and appropriateness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergo an operation

Focuses on the patient's experience of receiving a surgical procedure.

get surgery

A shortened, more colloquial version of "have surgery".

get operated on

A more informal way of saying "have surgery".

be operated upon

A passive and formal way of saying "have surgery".

receive surgical treatment

A formal and clinical way to describe the act of having surgery.

go under the knife

An idiomatic expression suggesting a more serious or invasive surgery.

need an operation

Emphasizes the requirement for a surgical intervention.

require a surgical procedure

Highlights the necessity of the surgery.

be scheduled for surgery

Indicates that the surgery is planned for the future.

undergo a medical procedure

Broader term including non-surgical procedures.

FAQs

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

You can use "have surgery" to indicate that someone is going to undergo a surgical procedure. For example, "The doctor said I need to "have surgery" on my shoulder".

What are some alternatives to "have surgery"?

Some alternatives to "have surgery" include "undergo an operation", "get operated on", or "go under the knife", depending on the context and formality.

Is it better to say "have surgery" or "undergo surgery"?

Both "have surgery" and "undergo surgery" are correct and commonly used. "Have surgery" is slightly more informal, while "undergo surgery" is often perceived as more formal.

What does it mean when someone says they "have surgery scheduled"?

When someone says they "have surgery scheduled", it means that their surgery has been planned and a date has been set for the procedure. They might also say, "I "am scheduled for surgery" next week".