Which should you use, operate or operate on? When operate means to cut into part of someone’s body for medical reasons, operate is followed by the preposition on. To operate someone or something is incorrect.
| Incorrect: |
He has been operated eight times.
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| Correct: |
He has been operated on eight times.
|
| Incorrect: |
The doctor operated him and saved his life.
|
| Correct: |
The doctor operated on him and saved his life.
|
