operated on them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operated on them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a medical context to describe performing surgery or a procedure on patients or subjects. Example: "The surgeon operated on them to remove the tumor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Junior nurse, Centre A) "We have so many ankle fractures sitting around on the ward for a week before the operation… if you operated on them straightaway … they would be done and out the next day".

BMJ Open

In fact, he has asked some patients whose extra weight could make surgery risky to get in shape before he operated on them.

The New York Times

One article, which focused on the homes' operators, doctors and others who exploited the residents, described how Dr. Debbi had built an adult-home practice, and included comments from residents who said they had no idea why he had operated on them.

The New York Times

"They just operated on them and left them.

BBC

If natural selection has not yet operated on them, then Maynard Smith's teleosemantic theory implies they do not contain information.

SEP

He was convicted of the manslaughter of three patients who died after he operated on them at a Queensland hospital where he worked from 2003-05.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Dr. Flanagan said that of the 900 patients he had operated on, seven died, all of them at great extremes of morbid obesity.

The New York Times

Sufferers from duodenal ulcers would find Him operating on them, materialising the instruments from thin air.

The Economist

They are taken to hospitals, often in poor condition, making it harder to operate on them.

The New York Times

Main memories take longer to access data than CPUs take to operate on them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We've anesthetized them, we take away their ability to think, to breathe, and we cut them open and operate on them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical procedures, ensure clarity by specifying the type of operation or procedure performed. For instance, instead of just saying "The doctor operated on them", specify "The doctor operated on them to remove the tumor."

Common error

Avoid using "operated on them" without specifying the nature of the surgery or procedure, especially in medical reports or formal writing. Provide details about the operation for better clarity and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operated on them" functions as a verb phrase indicating a surgical or medical procedure performed on a group of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples where the phrase is used in medical contexts, such as ankle fractures or weight-loss surgeries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operated on them" is a common way to describe a surgical procedure performed on a group of individuals. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used in both medical and general contexts. While acceptable, it's often beneficial to specify the type of operation for clarity, especially in formal writing. Alternative phrases include "performed surgery on them" or "conducted a procedure on them", depending on the context and desired level of formality. The register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Performed surgery on them

Replaces "operated" with the more formal "performed surgery", emphasizing the medical nature of the action.

Conducted a procedure on them

Substitutes "operated" with "conducted a procedure", broadening the scope to include non-surgical actions.

Did surgery on them

Uses the more casual "did surgery" in place of "operated", making it less formal.

Undertook an operation on them

Employs "undertook an operation" which is a more formal and descriptive way of saying "operated".

Administered treatment to them

Replaces the surgical connotation with a broader "administered treatment", focusing on care rather than surgery.

Provided medical intervention to them

Uses a more technical and comprehensive term, "provided medical intervention", to encompass any medical action.

Surgically treated them

Combines "surgically" with "treated" to specify the type of treatment received.

Worked on them surgically

Emphasizes the effort and process involved in the surgery, using "worked on them surgically".

Applied surgical techniques to them

Focuses on the specific methods used, replacing "operated" with "applied surgical techniques".

Addressed their condition surgically

Shifts the focus to the condition being treated rather than the direct action of operating.

FAQs

What does "operated on them" mean in a medical context?

In a medical context, "operated on them" typically means that a surgeon performed a surgical procedure on patients. This can range from minor surgeries to complex operations intended to treat diseases, repair injuries, or improve a patient's condition.

What are some alternatives to saying "operated on them"?

You can use alternatives like "performed surgery on them", "conducted a procedure on them", or "surgically treated them" depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "operated on them" in formal writing?

While "operated on them" is grammatically correct, it may be more appropriate to use a more formal phrase like "undertook an operation on them" or "provided medical intervention to them" in formal or scientific writing to convey a higher level of professionalism.

Can "operated on them" refer to non-surgical procedures?

While "operated on them" typically implies a surgical intervention, in broader contexts, it can sometimes be used to describe significant procedures or actions. However, for clarity, it's best to specify the exact nature of the procedure, especially if it's non-surgical.