they were undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or experience that someone is currently experiencing or going through. Example: "During the therapy sessions, they were undergoing significant emotional changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Children were kept away if their temperature had risen or if they were undergoing tests.

The New Yorker

aid, which were strengthening democratic institutions at the same time as they were undergoing economic reforms.

The New York Times

By the end, about 20% of surgeons said they didn't like the checklist, but 93% said they would want it used if they were undergoing an operation themselves.

The Guardian

The Slavs achieved political and social preeminence in Dacia in the 8th century, but even then they were undergoing assimilation by the more numerous Daco-Romans.

Britannica

The two others were taken to St . Luke 's-Rooseveltospital Center, where they were undergoing surgery and in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

Listening to the debate on Tuesday, I had the sense that they were undergoing an initiation test, like Mara gang members acquiring a facial tattoo.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said the decision required employers to accommodate infertile workers with adjustments in their work schedules when they were undergoing fertility treatments.

The New York Times

After just 30 minutes of running, the mice had significantly more membranes in cells throughout their bodies, the researchers found, meaning they were undergoing accelerated autophagy.

The New York Times

We tracked all 189,734 women diagnosed with stages 0-III breast cancer from 1998-2011 to learn which surgeries they were undergoing for breast cancer treatment and how long they survived afterwards.

Stanford University

HOUSTON — A nurse has been charged with murdering five patients at a clinic in Lufkin, Tex., by injecting bleach into their veins while they were undergoing kidney dialysis, local authorities said Thursday.

The New York Times

In February, the Guardian reported that a single Catholic hospital may have endangered the lives of five different women by refusing to intervene as they were undergoing risky miscarriages.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were undergoing", ensure that the context clearly indicates the process or experience being described. This helps to avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what "they" are going through.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "they were undergoing" in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate, such as "they experienced" or "they participated in" to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were undergoing" functions as part of a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an action or process that a group was experiencing over a period of time. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, which show its use across various contexts to indicate ongoing processes or experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were undergoing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing process or experience involving a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "they were experiencing" or "they were going through" exist, "they were undergoing" maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for various writing styles. The key is to ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity and consider active voice constructions to enhance engagement. Ludwig’s examples showcase its broad utility and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were experiencing

Focuses on the sensation or feeling of the process, rather than the process itself.

they were going through

Implies a challenging or difficult process, adding an emotional element.

they were in the midst of

Emphasizes that the process was ongoing and active.

they were participating in

Suggests active involvement in a process or activity.

they were subject to

Highlights that the process was imposed upon them, often involuntary.

they were being subjected to

Similar to 'they were subject to', but emphasizes force or unpleasantness.

they were receiving

Implies that they were the recipients of a treatment or procedure.

they were being treated with

Specifically refers to a medical or therapeutic process.

they were in receipt of

Similar to 'they were receiving', but more formal.

they were undertaking

Focuses on the deliberate and purposeful nature of the process.

FAQs

How can I use "they were undergoing" in a sentence?

Use "they were undergoing" to describe a process, experience, or transformation that a group of people was experiencing at a specific time. For example: "They were undergoing extensive training" or "They were undergoing significant changes".

What can I say instead of "they were undergoing"?

You can use alternatives like "they were experiencing", "they were going through", or "they were participating in" depending on the context.

Is "they were undergoing" formal or informal?

"They were undergoing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more active alternatives might be preferable in some informal settings.

What's the difference between "they were undergoing" and "they underwent"?

"They were undergoing" indicates a continuous or ongoing process in the past, while "they underwent" indicates a completed process in the past. For example, "They were undergoing tests" implies the tests were in progress, whereas "They underwent tests" implies the tests were completed.