undergo a change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undergo a change" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to express that something has gone through a transformation from one form to another. For example: "After months of hard work in the gym, Joe finally managed to undergo a change in his physical appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is the rare string quartet that does not eventually undergo a change in personnel.

The New York Times - Arts

The company's capital structure is about to undergo a change, Mr. Mirante said.

The New York Times

The president, for example, played by Blair Underwood, will undergo a change.

The New York Times

But many commentators noted that Mr. Berlusconi's party would more easily collapse than undergo a change in leadership.

The New York Times

Southend fans – not to mention employees – can only hope Sainsbury's does not undergo a change of heart but, even with its support, tough times lie ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

March of Time For the first time in its 37-year history, the Guarneri String Quartet will undergo a change in personnel.

The New York Times

"We are advocating that the F.D.A. undergo a change in regulatory mind-set, a First Amendment sensitivity training," Mr. Emord said.

The New York Times - Health

Caxton Associates, a leading investor in American Medical Security Group, has called for the company to be sold or undergo a change in management, a regulatory filing said.

The New York Times

From work we've done, we now know that one of the H.I.V. parts has to undergo a change in shape for the virus to become infectious.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the heliosphere at solar maximum, cosmic rays undergo a "change-of-state" from a period of several years of predominantly decreasing intensity to the recovery toward the next solar minimum.

Advances in Space Research

Nokia's flagship phones, the N series, are about to undergo a change.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undergo a change" when you want to emphasize the process of transformation, rather than just the resulting state. For instance, "The company will undergo a change in leadership" highlights the transition itself.

Common error

Avoid using "undergo a change" when a more direct verb can convey the same meaning more concisely. Instead of "The system will undergo a change," consider saying "The system will change."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undergo a change" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating that a subject experiences or is subjected to a process of transformation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its usage across diverse subjects, from organizations to physical entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undergo a change" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a process of transformation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and applicable in numerous situations. Its formal tone makes it suitable for professional, scientific, and news contexts. Related phrases, such as "experience a transformation" or "go through a modification", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slightly different connotations. The prevalence of examples across authoritative sources like The New York Times and scientific journals underscores its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience a transformation

Uses 'experience' instead of 'undergo', and 'transformation' instead of 'change', suggesting a more profound alteration.

go through a modification

Replaces 'undergo' with 'go through' and 'change' with 'modification', implying a less significant or structural change.

be subjected to alteration

This is a more formal and passive construction, highlighting the force causing the change.

be transformed

Focuses on the result of the change, rather than the process of undergoing it.

suffer a sea change

Implies a dramatic and significant transformation, often unexpected or disruptive.

be revised

Suggests a deliberate act of changing something to improve it.

develop differently

Indicates a divergence from a previous state or plan, often in an evolutionary context.

evolve

Implies gradual development and adaptation over time.

mutate

Suggests a sudden and often unpredictable alteration, especially in a biological context.

shift

Implies a slight change in position, direction, or tendency.

FAQs

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

You can use "undergo a change" to describe a process of transformation. For example: "The organization will "undergo a change" in its structure."

What are some alternatives to "undergo a change"?

Alternatives include "experience a transformation", "go through a modification", or "be transformed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "suffer a change" instead of "undergo a change"?

While "suffer a change" can be used, it often implies a negative or undesirable transformation. "Undergo a change" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily suggest a positive or negative outcome.

What's the difference between "undergo a change" and "make a change"?

"Undergo a change" implies that something is being acted upon and transformed, while "make a change" suggests actively initiating the transformation. For example, a patient might "undergo surgery" (a process), but a doctor would "perform surgery" (an action).