they were operated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were operated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a procedure or action performed on someone or something, typically in a medical or technical setting. Example: "After the diagnosis, they were operated on to remove the tumor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were operated independently of each other.

The Economist

They were operated by BytePlay, but EstateAgentToday says they "apparently failed to make the impact expected".

The Guardian

They were operated by specialized technicians, who often dressed in white lab coats and were commonly referred to as a computer priesthood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because they were complex systems, they were operated by a staff of systems programmers, who alone had access to the computer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are said to have been bribed with small amounts of cash or, as with this latest case, forcibly taken to camps, where they were operated on under appallingly unsafe conditions.

The Guardian - Opinion

In most cases, they were operated on at Parkway Hospital in Forest Hills by a urologist who had never met them and did not adequately review their medical records, the inquiry showed.

The New York Times

Telex systems in the United States continued to be operated by private corporations, while in most other countries they were operated by government agencies responsible for postal, telegraph, or telephone services.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is my conclusion that no objective, fair-minded historian would have serious cause to doubt that there were gas chambers at Auschwitz and that they were operated on a substantial scale to kill hundreds of thousands of Jews," the judge ruled.

The Guardian - Books

The film's real stars, a rusty assortment of Frankensteinian vehicles built to actually work (they were operated in the Namib Desert) were cobbled together using a strange combinations of parts: everything from missile carriers and military vehicles to vintage cars and air conditioning ducts.

The Guardian - Film

Saws for this purpose were generally called pit saws because they were operated in the vertical plane by two men, one of whom, the pitman, sometimes stood in a pit below the timber or under a trestle supporting the timber being sawed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were operating on all cylinders".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or scientific contexts, "they were operated" clearly conveys the action performed, especially when the focus is on the procedure itself rather than the individual's experience.

Common error

Avoid using "they were operated" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or clinical when simpler alternatives are available and more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were operated" functions as a passive voice construction, where "they" are the recipients of the action. It is generally used in medical or technical contexts to describe that a surgical or technical procedure was performed on a subject. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were operated" is a grammatically correct passive construction primarily used in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it's most frequently employed to objectively report on a procedure performed on a subject, often in medical or technical settings. While widely applicable, it's advisable to avoid it in informal contexts, opting for simpler alternatives like "they had surgery". Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that while grammatically sound, tailoring word choice to the context and audience is key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they underwent surgery

Emphasizes the surgical aspect of the operation.

they had an operation

A more common and less formal way of saying "they were operated on".

they were surgically treated

Highlights the medical intervention involved.

they had surgery performed

Emphasizes the performance of the surgery.

they were subjected to an operation

This alternative emphasizes the involuntary aspect of the procedure.

they were treated surgically

Focuses on the treatment aspect of the operation.

an operation was performed on them

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the action performed rather than the patient.

they received surgical intervention

Uses more formal and technical language.

surgery was conducted on them

This alternative stresses the professional aspect of the procedure.

they were incised

Focuses on the act of cutting during surgery.

FAQs

What does "they were operated on" mean?

It means someone or something underwent a surgical procedure or operation. The phrase indicates that an operation was performed on them.

What can I say instead of "they were operated on"?

You can use alternatives like "they had surgery", "they underwent an operation", or "they received surgical treatment" depending on the context.

Is "they were operated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were operated" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that someone or something was the recipient of an action (an operation).

How can I use "they were operated" in a sentence?

Example: "After the diagnosis, "they were operated" on to remove the tumor." You can also say, "The machine was malfunctioning, so "they were operated" on by a technician."