i underwent surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I underwent surgery" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate that the speaker has had a surgical procedure performed on them. Example: "Last week, I underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in my knee. The procedure was successful and I am now recovering at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

On September 6th, I underwent surgery, and returned to our apartment that night with crutches and instructions not to bear weight on my leg.

The New Yorker

I can remember seeing my father afraid only once, when I was in hospital as a child, before I underwent surgery for a vicious case of sinusitis.

The New York Times - Magazine

I discovered how it would feel to have others see me when I had the system removed before I underwent surgery.

The Guardian

Now, I routinely say to patients, 'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.'" A surgeon recalled, "The night before I underwent surgery, my surgeon told me, 'There's a 5percentt chance you may die in the operating room.' That night, I couldn't sleep.

Princeton University

I didn't wait around for details; a friend gave me a ride (and received a speeding ticket in the process) and I underwent surgery the minute I got to the hospital.

Science Magazine

On June 10 , 1998 I underwent surgery to remove the tumors.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I underwent surgeries early on that probably were not the best course of treatment for me.

HuffPost

But on November 27th he left for medical treatment in Havana, returning briefly last weekend with a very different story one that would seem to presage his imminent retirement from his country's politics, and perhaps from life itself .It is absolutely imperative that I undergo surgery in the next few days," a sombre Mr Chávez said in a broadcast address to the nation late on December 8th.

The Economist

No, I have just returned after two-and-a-half years on the sidelines during which I also underwent surgery to reconstruct a ruptured post-cruciate ligament in my left knee which involved a hamstring graft from both legs.

Independent

Approximately two years ago, I underwent elective surgery.

Stanford University

At age six, I underwent brain surgery to release the spinal fluid building up in the base of my skull.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience; "I underwent surgery" is appropriate for formal or neutral contexts. For informal settings, "I had surgery" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily distancing yourself from the experience. While "I underwent surgery" is acceptable, excessively using passive constructions can make your writing sound impersonal. Choose active voice when appropriate for a more direct and engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I underwent surgery" functions as a statement of a past medical experience. It indicates that the speaker was the recipient of a surgical procedure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I underwent surgery" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe a personal medical experience. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used to indicate that the speaker has had a surgical procedure performed on them. It finds frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. While direct and informative, writers should be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider the audience when choosing between this phrase and more informal alternatives like "I had surgery".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had an operation

Uses a more common term, "operation", instead of the more formal "surgery".

I went through a surgical procedure

Emphasizes the process aspect of the surgery.

I was operated on

Shifts the focus to being the recipient of the surgical action.

I received surgical treatment

Highlights the therapeutic aspect of the surgery.

I had surgery performed

More descriptive, specifying that surgery was performed.

I was subjected to surgery

Indicates a potentially unwanted or necessary experience.

I required surgical intervention

Highlights the necessity of the surgical procedure.

I presented for surgery

Formal, often used in medical contexts to indicate initiating the surgical process.

I was a surgery patient

Focuses on the role of being a patient.

Surgery was conducted on me

Passive voice, emphasizing the action performed by others.

FAQs

What does "I underwent surgery" mean?

It means that the speaker had a surgical procedure performed on them for medical reasons.

Is it better to say "I underwent surgery" or "I had surgery"?

Both are correct, but "I underwent surgery" is often perceived as more formal than "I had surgery".

What can I say instead of "I underwent surgery"?

You can use alternatives like "I had an operation", "I was operated on", or "I received surgical treatment" depending on the context.

How to use "I underwent surgery" in a sentence?

Example: "Last year, "I underwent surgery" to repair a torn ligament in my knee".