do an operation

[BobK]

...
Surgeons also say things like 'I have four operations today.'

That has very little to do with synonyms for conducting/performing/doing. That sort of 'have' applies to a schedule of anything: 'I have four meetings today' => does that mean you can do a meeting. (except in the very informal sense of 'do' as in 'do lunch')

b

[2006]

That has very little to do with synonyms for conducting/performing/doing. That sort of 'have' applies to a schedule of anything: 'I have four meetings today' => does that mean you can do a meeting. (except in the very informal sense of 'do' as in 'do lunch')

b

I don't know that the question is simply about "synonyms" for the words you mentioned.
The question is about what words can fill the blank in the specific sentence 'I ___ a difficult operation this morning.'

I offered "had", which was challenged. I added that a surgeon could use the present tense also, not just "had".

No, I wouldn't say that a person can do a meeting, but one can (hold)(conduct)(run) a meeting. In some contexts "have" is more than just a schedule.

[BobK]

I imagined that you were still on-topic:

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...tml#post427220

b