undergoing chemotherapy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undergoing chemotherapy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment. For example, "The patient is undergoing chemotherapy for his cancer diagnosis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is undergoing chemotherapy.

The New York Times - Sports

Hazel is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Independent

He is now undergoing chemotherapy.

Independent

He is undergoing chemotherapy for bladder cancer.

The New York Times

He was undergoing chemotherapy even though it made him sick.

The Guardian - Books

I have two friends who are currently undergoing chemotherapy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He is on disability and is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

The Washington Post

The hard rocker continued touring and recording while undergoing chemotherapy, finding "gaps in the schedule".

The Guardian - Music

She had her second surgery June 23 and is now undergoing chemotherapy.

The New York Times

"I am currently undergoing chemotherapy, and I am receiving excellent care" Brand said in the statement.

The New York Times

While undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant, he lived in San Antonio.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's health, use the phrase "undergoing chemotherapy" to clearly and respectfully indicate they are currently receiving this treatment. This avoids ambiguity and maintains a professional tone.

Common error

While phrases like "doing chemo" might be used in informal conversations, they are not appropriate for formal writing. Stick to "undergoing chemotherapy" or "receiving chemotherapy" in professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undergoing chemotherapy" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase. It describes an ongoing action or process related to a medical treatment. As affirmed by Ludwig, it accurately depicts the action of receiving chemotherapy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undergoing chemotherapy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe the process of receiving chemotherapy treatment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", it maintains a neutral register suitable for various professional and informational contexts. Alternatives include "receiving chemotherapy", but it is advisable to avoid overly casual language like "doing chemo" in formal settings. The phrase effectively communicates a person's current medical status with clarity and respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving chemotherapy

Focuses on the act of 'receiving' the treatment rather than the process of 'undergoing' it.

getting chemotherapy

More informal way of saying receiving chemotherapy treatment.

being treated with chemotherapy

Emphasizes the 'treatment' aspect and the agent being used.

on chemotherapy

A shorter, more casual way to describe being in the process of chemotherapy treatment.

chemotherapy patient

Identifies someone as a patient who is currently using chemotherapy. Transformation from verb phrase to noun phrase.

in chemotherapy

Indicates someone is currently engaged in the chemotherapy process.

chemotherapy treatment

Focuses on 'treatment' aspect involving chemotherapy. Transformation from verb phrase to noun phrase.

experiencing chemotherapy

Highlights the 'experience' of undergoing the treatment.

under chemotherapy treatment

Restates the original concept with a slight reordering of words.

managing chemotherapy

Focuses on managing the chemotherapy process and the symptoms and effects.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "undergoing chemotherapy"?

Saying someone is "undergoing chemotherapy" means they are currently receiving chemotherapy treatment, a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body.

What are some alternative ways to say "undergoing chemotherapy"?

Alternatives include "receiving chemotherapy", "getting chemotherapy", or "being treated with chemotherapy", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "doing chemotherapy" instead of "undergoing chemotherapy"?

While "doing chemotherapy" might be used informally, it's more appropriate to use "undergoing chemotherapy" in formal or professional writing. The latter is clearer and more respectful in describing the treatment process.

What's the difference between "undergoing chemotherapy" and "having chemotherapy"?

"Undergoing chemotherapy" emphasizes the process and experience of the treatment, whereas "having chemotherapy" is a more general statement about receiving the treatment. The first is usually the better option when describing someone's current medical status.