is undergoing surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is undergoing surgery' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person or animal who is in the process of having a medical operation. For example, "The patient is undergoing surgery to repair their broken leg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Lewis was shot and is undergoing surgery.

The New York Times

The officer, Richard H. Donahue Jr., 33, is undergoing surgery this morning, WBZ-Boston reported.

The Guardian

The CT scan shows he has suffered a severe head injury and is undergoing surgery.

The Guardian - Sport

The pump-oxygenator was perfected in 1953 by Dr. John Gibbon & it reproduces the natural pumping action of the heart while a patient is undergoing surgery.

The New Yorker

A teenager is undergoing surgery to his arm after being bitten by a crocodile in a far north Queensland river he reportedly entered on a dare.

The Guardian

Sharif is currently in London where his wife is undergoing surgery, but the speaker of Pakistan's parliament has said he will return once her condition improves.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He said the men were undergoing surgery.

The New York Times

Increasing numbers of older patients are undergoing surgery.

Journal of Surgical Education

The driver was undergoing surgery for a severe head injury on Sunday night.

The Guardian - Sport

He was undergoing surgery late last night, said Renee Watson, a hospital administrator.

The New York Times

The newspaper also said an 11-year-old boy was undergoing surgery to save his hand.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on someone's medical condition, use "is undergoing surgery" to accurately convey that they are currently in the process of having a surgical operation.

Common error

Avoid using "is undergoing surgery" when the person is receiving a non-surgical treatment. Ensure the procedure involves an incision or manipulation of tissues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is undergoing surgery" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone is currently in the process of having a surgical operation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in news and media, science, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is undergoing surgery" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who is currently having a surgical operation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples across various authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC. It is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context involves an actual surgical procedure. While alternatives like "is having an operation" or "is being operated on" exist, "is undergoing surgery" offers a clear and neutral way to convey this specific medical situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is having an operation

This alternative uses more common vocabulary but conveys the same meaning.

is being operated on

This is a passive voice construction that focuses on the action being performed on the subject.

is currently in surgery

This alternative emphasizes the current status of the patient.

is scheduled for surgery

This indicates a planned surgical procedure in the future.

is receiving surgical treatment

This option emphasizes the medical aspect of the procedure.

is in the operating room

This phrase specifies the location where the surgery is taking place.

is being treated surgically

This alternative focuses on the method of treatment being used.

is going through a procedure

This is a more general term that can apply to various medical interventions, not just surgery.

is under the knife

This is an informal and somewhat dramatic way of saying someone is having surgery.

is undergoing a medical intervention

This is a broader term that encompasses any type of medical procedure.

FAQs

How to use "is undergoing surgery" in a sentence?

Use "is undergoing surgery" to indicate that someone is currently in the process of having a surgical operation. For example, "The patient "is undergoing surgery" to repair a torn ligament".

What can I say instead of "is undergoing surgery"?

You can use alternatives like "is having an operation", "is being operated on", or "is receiving surgical treatment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is undergoing surgery" or "will undergo surgery"?

"Is undergoing surgery" indicates a procedure happening now, while "will undergo surgery" implies a future event. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timing of the operation.

What's the difference between "is undergoing surgery" and "is recovering from surgery"?

"Is undergoing surgery" refers to the active surgical process, whereas "is recovering from surgery" indicates the period after the operation when the patient is healing.