it can undergo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can undergo" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing processes, changes, or transformations that something is capable of experiencing or going through. Example: "The material is flexible, so it can undergo significant deformation without breaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

If the pesticide is not converted to its oxon form, it can undergo a hydrolysis to its organic group metabolite and dialkylthionate metabolites.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The isotope uranium-235 has 92 protons and 143 neutrons in its nucleus, and it can undergo a nuclear fission chain reaction.

Science Magazine

Thus, intuitions about a word's modal profile suggest that it can undergo massive shifts in its orthographic and phonetic properties.

SEP

Aspergillus nidulans, also known as Emericella nidulans, as it can undergo sexual reproduction in its life cycle in addition to the non-perfect (asexually reproducing) form that characterizes aspergilli, is an important member of the filamentous fungal genus Aspergillus.

BMC Genomics

Under physiological conditions, LRP1b is anchored through its transmembrane domain in the cell membrane where it can undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) [21].

Plosone

The copepod Calanus finmarchicus requires a region where it can undergo diapause in order to complete its life cycle - in shallow regions such as Georges Bank where it may be seasonally very abundant, it is an expatriate and not a separate self-sustaining population [130].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

7DHP and it hydroxyderivatives, can undergo UVB-induced transformation to corresponding pregnacalciferol (pD) and lumisterol-like (pL) compounds [30] [32].

Plosone

Depending on the type of secretases that cleave it, APP can undergo amyloidogenic or nonamyloidogenic processing.

BioMed Research International

The protopine alkaloids can fragment by the RDA reaction, and in comparison with the tetrahydroberberine alkaloids, it also can undergo another characteristic fragmentation pathway.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

It appears that M.genitalium can undergo extensive gene sequence variation within a persistently infected individual [18], [19], [20], [21].

Plosone

Patients who relapse early have been reported as more likely to have higher tumour volume and involvement of more organs, making it less likely they can undergo further curative resection (Takahashi et al, 2006).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can undergo" when you want to express that something has the ability or capacity to experience a specific process, change, or transformation. Be precise about the process being undergone for clarity.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences when using "it can undergo". While grammatically correct, too many passive constructions can make your writing seem weak. Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can undergo" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the potential or ability of something to experience a specific process or transformation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used and grammatically sound, enabling the expression of inherent capabilities or susceptibility to change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it can undergo" is a versatile phrase used to express the capability of something to experience a particular process or transformation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application in scientific and formal contexts. Its function is to describe potential changes, with a register leaning towards formal and scientific discourse. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the process in question and avoiding excessive passive voice constructions. As exemplified in the provided data, the phrase is common in scientific literature but less so in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is capable of experiencing

Focuses on the inherent ability to be subjected to a process, differing slightly from the active implication of "undergo".

it is susceptible to

Highlights vulnerability or likelihood of being affected by something, implying a passive reception of a process.

it is liable to experience

Emphasizes the probability of undergoing a particular event or change.

it is subject to

Indicates that something is required to go through a process, often implying a rule or external force.

it is prone to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency to undergo a specific process or condition, emphasizing likelihood.

it has the potential to experience

Highlights that something could happen but hasn't necessarily happened yet.

it may be subjected to

Implies possibility and external influence or control over the process.

it is open to

Indicates accessibility to a process but does not guarantee it will happen.

it is in danger of experiencing

Highlights a possible bad consequence or bad experience, in a negative context.

it might be exposed to

Emphasizes external contact and potential influence.

FAQs

How can I use "it can undergo" in a sentence?

Use "it can undergo" to describe a capability or potential for something to experience a process. For instance, "The metal is flexible, so "it can undergo" significant bending without breaking".

What are some alternatives to "it can undergo"?

Consider alternatives such as "it is capable of experiencing", "it is susceptible to", or "it is subject to" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "it can undergo" or "it undergoes"?

"It can undergo" expresses a potential or capability, while "it undergoes" describes a process that actually happens. The choice depends on whether you're describing a possibility or an actual occurrence.

What is the difference between "it can undergo" and "it is undergoing"?

"It can undergo" indicates a potential action, while "it is undergoing" describes an action that is currently in progress. For example, "The experiment shows that the substance can undergo a phase transition" versus "The substance is undergoing a phase transition right now".