he was operated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was operated" is correct and can be used in written English.
In certain contexts, it can refer to a medical operation that was performed on someone. For example: "He was operated on for appendicitis last week, and is now recovering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He was operated on twice... Tells about the physical aftermath of the operation, and the psychological effects, which have been more enduring..

The New Yorker

He was operated on yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

He was operated on, for a deep-seated infection of the leg, without anesthesia.

The New Yorker

He was operated on yesterday, and we've come to see him again.

The New York Times

He was operated on and now talks with a deep, husky voice.

The Guardian - Film

He was rushed to the hospital where he was operated on, medical sources said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

He was operating in Loach's slipstream.

The Guardian

He was operating out of Iraq.

The New York Times

But Basquiat understood the context in which he was operating.

The Guardian - Arts

Prosecutors said he was operating an elaborate Ponzi scheme.

The New York Times

He was operating on five hours of sleep.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a formal tone when writing about medical procedures in professional and scientific contexts. Replace informal alternatives like "went under the knife" with "underwent surgery".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clarifying who performed the operation, especially in contexts where this information is relevant. Instead of simply stating "he was operated on", consider adding "by Dr. Smith" or "at the university hospital" if the actor or location is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was operated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of a surgical procedure. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound, particularly when followed by "on" to specify the body part or condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was operated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction indicating that an individual underwent surgery. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it's important to clarify the type of operation and specify who performed the surgery for added clarity. Alternatives such as "he underwent surgery" or "he had an operation" can also be used depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he underwent surgery

Replaces "operated" with "underwent surgery", providing a slightly more formal and clinical tone.

he had an operation

Uses a more common and straightforward phrasing to indicate that the person had a surgical procedure.

he had a surgical procedure

Replaces "operation" with "surgical procedure", adding a slightly more technical feel.

he received surgical treatment

Emphasizes the receipt of treatment, highlighting the medical aspect of the procedure.

he was treated surgically

Focuses on the method of treatment, specifying that it was surgical.

he was subjected to surgery

Highlights the involuntary nature of the surgery, implying a necessary or unavoidable situation.

he had surgery done

Emphasizes the completion of the surgical process, indicating that the surgery has been performed.

he was operated upon

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing, which may be suitable for specific contexts.

surgery was performed on him

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the action of performing surgery rather than the patient.

he went under the knife

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe undergoing surgery, adding a sense of risk or seriousness.

FAQs

What does "he was operated on" mean?

The phrase "he was operated on" means that someone underwent a surgical procedure. It indicates that a doctor or surgeon performed an operation on the person.

Is it better to say "he was operated on" or "he underwent surgery"?

Both "he was operated on" and "he underwent surgery" are correct, but "he underwent surgery" is often considered more formal and professional. The best choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

What can I say instead of "he was operated on"?

Alternatives include "he had surgery", "he underwent a surgical procedure", or "surgery was performed on him", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "he was operated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he was operated" is grammatically correct, though it is typically followed by "on" to specify what part of the body or condition was addressed during the surgery (e.g., "He was operated on for appendicitis").