vital operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an operation that is essential or crucial, often in a medical or technical context. Example: "The surgeon explained that the vital operation was necessary to save the patient's life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If you're about to have a vital operation, you don't want to know your surgeon has been learning "on the job" for the past three months.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brian L. Mizer, suggested that Mr. Hamdan, during interrogations in late 2001 and early 2002, might have helped in the hunt for Mr. bin Laden or in some other vital operation.

The New York Times

Separation of gas liquid mixture, which is achieved by using either large gravity separators or compact separators is a common and vital operation in the petroleum industry.

Flow Measurement and Instrumentation

An additional benefit of using a search task is that search is a vital operation for everyday function; humans must constantly locate task-relevant information (such as a pedestrian about to run into a roadway) in the environment.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

In this paper, we investigated a vital operation that is invoked numerous times during many algorithms, namely comparison, and improve its performance significantly by introducing algorithmic changes and deploying data packing.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

I would lose money if they changed the public pensions system, but I do believe it is a vital operation.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Its American rival Exxon is fierce about keeping to high technical standards, Shell prides itself on its solid engineering – but BP has long been about outsourcing vital operations (the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded was owned and operated by another firm), doing big deals (taking over Amoco, for instance) and trading.

The Guardian - Opinion

None of the biggest firms says that it has been unable to complete vital operations.

The Economist

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs that the planned strike would have meant up to 20,000 patients seeing "vital operations" cancelled.

Independent

Figuring out which switches lead to vital operations — the security system, for instance — may take time to figure out.

The New York Times

In January, Rogers asserted that the report concluded that most of the documents Snowden took "concern vital operations of the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex processes, clearly define what makes the "vital operation" essential. This provides context and highlights its importance to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "vital operation" as a generic term for any task. Ensure it genuinely represents a process that is indispensable and critical, otherwise choose a more appropriate descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital operation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "vital" modifies "operation". It describes a specific kind of operation that is essential or crucial. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is both correct and frequent in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vital operation" is a grammatically correct and understandable English expression. According to Ludwig, it describes an operation that is essential or crucial, often in medical or technical contexts. With primary usage in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase conveys the indispensable nature of a specific action. While similar phrases like "critical procedure" or "essential function" can be used, "vital operation" maintains its own distinct emphasis on the criticality of the process. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an operation that is truly indispensable, avoiding overuse in generic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical procedure

Replaces "vital" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and potential consequences.

essential function

Focuses on the necessity of the operation for a system or process to work.

key undertaking

Highlights the importance and scope of the operation as a significant project.

crucial activity

Emphasizes the decisive impact of the operation on the overall outcome.

necessary intervention

Highlights the action taken and its indispensable nature.

fundamental process

Focuses on the operation as being at the base of a series of actions or a system.

indispensable measure

Highlights the operation as an action that cannot be dismissed or avoided.

life-saving surgery

Specifically used in medical contexts, emphasizing the operation's potential to preserve life.

strategic maneuver

Highlights the high-level planning and tactical value of the operation.

mission critical task

Emphasizes the high priority and importance of the operation to achieve success.

FAQs

How can I use "vital operation" in a sentence?

You can use "vital operation" to describe essential processes. For instance: "The surgeon explained that the "vital operation" was necessary to save the patient's life."

What phrases are similar to "vital operation"?

Alternatives include "critical procedure", "essential function", or "crucial activity", depending on the specific context.

Is "vital operation" formal or informal language?

"Vital operation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in professional, news, or technical writing.

Can "vital operation" be used in non-medical contexts?

Yes, although frequently used in medical contexts, "vital operation" can also refer to any process critical for a specific outcome, such as in business or military strategies.