is having an operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is having an operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone undergoing a medical procedure or surgery. Example: "She is having an operation to remove her appendix tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I can confirm he is having an operation today to prepare him for a heart transplant in the near future," said his agent Christian Abt.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He's having an operation.

The New Yorker

I'm having an operation on my hip in May and it was killing me last weekend.

Independent

"You didn't hear anything and then all of a sudden, she's having an operation".

The New York Times

But when asked whether they would want the checklist used if they were having an operation, 93 percent said yes.

The New York Times - Books

I learnt that Assia and Ted were out, and when I asked where they were the nanny said "She's having an operation and will be back soon".

The Guardian

Mourinho looked tired in his press conference after a week in which he has also flown to Portugal because his father was having an operation.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you went into a store, you'd expect respect and courtesy, so why shouldn't that happen when you're having an operation?" he said.

The New York Times

She recalls waking up in the middle of the night and seeing him praying, and her mother explaining that he was having an operation the next day and was asking God to save him.

Independent

I'm supposed to be having an operation in a few weeks, and - though he's my fourth child - I'm bone-shakingly anxious about how Elon will react during the week I need to be in hospital.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If I was having an operation on a brain tumor, I would want an expert doing it.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is having an operation", ensure the context clearly indicates a medical procedure. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the type of operation if relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "is having an operation" when referring to non-medical contexts. For instance, instead of saying 'The company is having an operation to restructure', use 'The company is undergoing restructuring'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is having an operation" functions as a present continuous tense construction describing an ongoing or scheduled medical procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It signifies that a subject is currently in the process of undergoing a surgery or has one planned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is having an operation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone undergoing or scheduled for a medical procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal conversations, with a neutral tone. While alternatives like "is undergoing surgery" exist, "is having an operation" remains a clear and common choice. Understanding its proper usage, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is undergoing surgery

Focuses on the surgical aspect of the procedure.

is to have surgery

Shorter and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

is scheduled for surgery

Highlights the planned nature of the operation.

is being operated on

Emphasizes the action being performed on the person.

will be operated on

Future tense emphasizing the scheduled nature of the surgery.

is to undergo a procedure

A more formal way to indicate a medical intervention.

is to receive an operation

Similar to 'is to undergo a procedure' but uses 'operation'.

is receiving surgical treatment

Highlights the medical treatment aspect of the operation.

is going under the knife

A more informal and slightly dramatic way of saying someone is having surgery.

is being prepped for surgery

Focuses on the immediate preparation before the operation.

FAQs

What does "is having an operation" mean?

The phrase "is having an operation" indicates that someone is currently undergoing or is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure or other medical intervention.

What can I say instead of "is having an operation"?

You can use alternatives like "is undergoing surgery", "is scheduled for surgery", or "is to undergo a procedure" depending on the context.

Is "is having an operation" formal or informal?

The phrase "is having an operation" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Which is correct, "is having an operation" or "is undergoing an operation"?

Both "is having an operation" and "is undergoing an operation" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, although "is undergoing an operation" might be perceived as slightly more formal.