operated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operated on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical contexts to describe a surgical procedure performed on a patient. Example: "After the diagnosis, the patient was operated on to remove the tumor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surgeons operated on him overnight.

The New York Times

The library operated on an honor system.

The New Yorker

Bautista was operated on in Philadelphia.

The New York Times - Sports

The Crichton magic operated on every style.

The New York Times - Arts

Doctors operated on his back on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The work operated on three interrelated levels.

The New York Times - Arts

The dogs operated on instinct.

The New York Times

He was operated on yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

"He's getting operated on now.

The New York Times - Sports

I could have operated on myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

These distortions have operated on four levels.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical procedures, use "operated on" to clearly indicate that a surgical intervention was performed. Ensure the context provides enough information about the body part or condition that was addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "operated on" in a way that obscures who performed the surgery. While passive voice is acceptable, ensure the subject is clear to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operated on" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something was the recipient of a surgical procedure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard and usable phrase in English. Many examples are from medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operated on" is a versatile and common phrase used to indicate that someone or something has undergone a surgical procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase serves to inform about medical histories and treatment processes. While alternatives such as "underwent surgery" or "had an operation" exist, "operated on" remains a clear and direct way to convey this information. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid ambiguity by clearly stating who performed the surgery if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent surgery

This alternative is a more general term for surgical procedures.

had an operation

This alternative uses a more common phrasing for describing a surgery.

received surgical treatment

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the treatment aspect.

was treated surgically

This alternative emphasizes the method of treatment.

had a surgical procedure

This alternative is more specific about the type of intervention.

was subjected to surgery

This alternative highlights the experience of undergoing surgery.

went under the knife

This alternative is an informal way of saying someone had surgery.

was operated upon

This alternative is a more formal, though less common, variation of the original phrase.

had corrective surgery

This alternative specifies the purpose of the surgery.

was surgically repaired

This alternative suggests the surgery was to fix something.

FAQs

How is "operated on" used in medical contexts?

In medical contexts, "operated on" indicates that a patient underwent a surgical procedure to treat a condition or injury. For instance, "The patient was "operated on" to remove a tumor".

What are some alternatives to "operated on"?

Alternatives include "underwent surgery", "had an operation", or "received surgical treatment". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it better to say "operated on" or "operated upon"?

"Operated on" is more common and generally preferred in modern English. "Operated upon" is a more formal, though less frequently used, variant. Both are grammatically correct, but "operated on" is often clearer and more concise.

What's the difference between "operated on" and "treated surgically"?

"Operated on" specifically implies a surgical intervention, while "treated surgically" is a broader term that encompasses all forms of surgical treatment, which may include pre-operative and post-operative care in addition to the surgical procedure itself.