is being operated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being operated on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical contexts to describe a patient undergoing a surgical procedure or treatment. Example: "The patient is being operated on for a complex heart surgery that requires several hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

λ for the signal which is being operated on V = 16 is one.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In one entry, Monroe recounts a dream in which she is being operated on by Strasberg and her analyst.

The New Yorker

"Of the three, one is seriously hurt with wounds to the abdomen and is being operated on," Pider Avall, a spokesman for Sahlgrenska University Hospital, told the news agency Reuters.

The New York Times

He is seriously injured and is being operated on", Niklas Claesson, hospital spokesman, said.

Independent

Surgical checklists involve deceptively simple-sounding practices like double-checking the patient's identification and what part of the body is being operated on, and making sure that drug allergies have been noted and proper medications given.

The New York Times - Health

Despite the terrible pictures that have come out of the German clinic where Filin is being operated on, Tsiskaridze also believes the attack was nowhere near as serious as it has been represented.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The weld cracked while the crane was being operated on May 30 , 2008 prosecutors said, causing the crane to fall and kill the operator, Donald C. Leo, and another construction worker, Ramadan Kurtaj.

The New York Times

But the reality is that people are being operated on".

The New York Times

All five were being operated on at the Poly Clinic hospital.

The New York Times

Meyer lost part of his left leg, and while he was being operated on that night, it was discovered that he had cancer.

The New York Times - Sports

The son of a friend of mine was being operated on when the power failed and the doctors had to continue by flashlight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical procedures, ensure you choose the phrasing that best reflects the context, balancing formality and clarity for your audience. For example, use "is undergoing surgery" in general communications, while "is being operated upon" may be more appropriate in formal reports.

Common error

While "is being operated on" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate for a more engaging style. For example, instead of "the patient is being operated on", consider "surgeons are operating on the patient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being operated on" functions as a passive verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that someone is the recipient of a surgical action. This structure allows focusing on the patient rather than the actor (surgeon).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

27%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is being operated on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes a medical procedure in progress. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news reports, scientific articles, and general informational contexts. While versatile, writers should consider whether active voice might be more direct in certain situations. Semantically similar alternatives include "is undergoing surgery" and "is receiving surgical treatment". Be mindful of the potential for overuse of the passive voice and ensure your phrasing matches the desired level of formality for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being operated upon

A more formal variant of the original phrase.

is getting operated on

A more informal variant of the original phrase.

is undergoing surgery

Focuses on the surgical procedure itself.

is in surgery

Indicates the current state of undergoing an operation.

is receiving surgical treatment

Highlights the medical intervention being provided.

is having an operation

Emphasizes the act of having surgery.

is being treated surgically

Specifies the type of medical treatment.

is going through a surgical procedure

Emphasizes the process of the surgical intervention.

is under the knife

An idiomatic expression indicating surgery.

is subjected to an operation

Highlights the act of undergoing the procedure.

FAQs

How to use "is being operated on" in a sentence?

You can use "is being operated on" to describe someone undergoing a surgical procedure. For example, "The patient "is being operated on" for a complex heart condition".

What can I say instead of "is being operated on"?

You can use alternatives like "is undergoing surgery", "is receiving surgical treatment", or "is having an operation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is being operated on" or "is being operated upon"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""is being operated on"" is more common in contemporary English. "is being operated upon" is a more formal and somewhat archaic variant.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a surgery?

It depends on the context. Passive voice (""is being operated on"") focuses on the patient, while active voice (e.g., "surgeons are operating") focuses on the surgeons. Choose the voice that emphasizes the most relevant information.