he underwent surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he underwent surgery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a medical procedure that someone has experienced, typically in a formal or clinical context. Example: "After the accident, he underwent surgery to repair the damage to his leg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He underwent surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

He underwent surgery on Thursday.

The New York Times - Arts

He underwent surgery at Bellevue Hospital Center.

The New York Times

Recently, he underwent surgery for colon cancer.

The New York Times

On Sept. 23, he underwent surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

He underwent surgery and has lasting effects.

The New York Times

He underwent surgery for what is believed to be diverticulitis.

The Washington Post

He underwent surgery to replace the faulty valve.

The New York Times

He underwent surgery three days after the injury.

The Guardian - Sport

He underwent surgery to remove his right testicle.

The Washington Post

He underwent surgery again, took five weeks off, and returned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he underwent surgery" in formal writing or when providing medical information. It is a clear and direct way to state that someone had a surgical procedure.

Common error

Avoid using "he underwent surgery" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "he had surgery" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he underwent surgery" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a male person experienced a surgical procedure. It provides factual information about a past event. Ludwig AI examples show it is often followed by details of the surgery or its outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he underwent surgery" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that someone has had a surgical procedure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While accurate and widely understood, it is advisable to use simpler alternatives like "he had surgery" in casual conversations. When using the term, consider your audience and context to ensure the level of formality matches the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had an operation

Replaces "surgery" with "operation", a more general term for a medical procedure.

he was operated on

Shifts the focus to the action being performed on him, rather than his active participation.

he received surgical treatment

Emphasizes the medical aspect of the intervention.

he went through a surgical procedure

Highlights the experience of undergoing the procedure.

he was subjected to surgery

Implies a more passive role and potential severity of the surgery.

he was treated surgically

Focuses on the surgical aspect of his medical treatment.

he had surgical intervention

Uses a more technical term for surgical procedures.

surgery was performed on him

Formal and passive construction, emphasizing the action taken by medical professionals.

he had a medical procedure

A more general term if you don't want to specify it was surgery.

he required surgical intervention

Focuses on the necessity of the surgical procedure.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "he underwent surgery"?

A simpler, more informal alternative is "he had surgery". This conveys the same meaning in everyday conversation.

Is "he underwent surgery" formal or informal?

The phrase "he underwent surgery" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "he had surgery".

When is it appropriate to use "he underwent surgery"?

Use "he underwent surgery" in formal medical reports, news articles, or professional communications where precision and a degree of formality are desired. For less formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "he had surgery".

What are some synonyms for "he underwent surgery"?

Besides "he had surgery", other synonyms include "he was operated on", "he received surgical treatment", or "he had an operation", depending on the specific context.