undergone

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "undergone" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has been through a process or experience. For example, "The building had undergone extensive renovations before it reopened".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I was an intern at Croydon I worked with young people to raise awareness and discovered that some members of staff and students had undergone FGM themselves.

The Guardian

In 1919 it was reported that he had undergone "such experiences during the war that he is unlikely to be heard of again in professional football".

The Guardian - Sport

Global warming has not undergone a 'pause' or 'hiatus', according to US government research that undermines one of the key arguments used by sceptics to question climate science.

The Guardian

Dinosaurs embody the drastic changes that life on Earth has undergone, and give us access to some of the most powerful truths our species has come to understand – that our planet has an incredibly deep history, that life has changed constantly through time, and that extinction is the fate of all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anyway, what is true is that Google, YouTube's owner, has undergone one of its periodic cleansing exercises where it checks viewer counts against its terms of service.

The Guardian - Tech

Of course, humanity has undergone spectacular developments since it roamed the African savannah.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A local wildlife lover recently tweeted a photograph that suggests the common has undergone a close encounter with a scalpel: a wildflower meadow has been shaved like a football pitch.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Highway Code co-evolved with transport technology: it has undergone 15 editions and is being rewritten to accommodate driverless cars.

The Guardian

I thought that it was important that they know about FGM as they may have to encounter women who have undergone it - especially if they end up becoming midwives.

The Guardian

Audubon executive Doug Young, a member of the Broward county climate change task force, said he had undergone DEP training to become a volunteer presenter of a DEP PowerPoint presentation on Florida's coral reefs.

The Guardian

The fortunes of the spirit, once depicted by artist William Hogarth as the scourge of the 18th century, have undergone a sharp turnaround to become the trendy spirit du jour amid an explosion of craft distilleries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "undergone" to indicate that something has been subjected to a process or change. It adds a level of sophistication to your writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

While simpler alternatives like "went through" may seem interchangeable with "undergone", the latter carries a more formal and often scientific tone. Avoid using "undergone" in very casual conversation, as it may sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undergone" is as a past participle, typically used to form perfect verb tenses (e.g., "has undergone") or in passive constructions. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a completed process or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undergone" is the past participle of 'undergo', signifying that something has experienced a process, change, or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in news, formal business communications, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's most effective in formal settings, offering a more sophisticated alternative to simpler phrases like "went through". Remember to use it correctly with auxiliary verbs like 'has' or 'have'. By avoiding overuse in casual conversation and understanding its formal tone, you can effectively incorporate "undergone" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced

Direct synonym focusing on having encountered a particular state or situation.

went through

Informal alternative indicating a process or series of events.

passed through

Emphasizes movement or transition through a process.

been subjected to

Highlights the experience as something imposed or endured.

participated in

Suggests active involvement in a process or event.

gone along with

Implies compliance or agreement with a process.

undertaken

Formal term for starting a process or task.

gone into

Emphasis on the entering a process or state.

been exposed to

Highlights the fact of being presented with a situation or experience.

lived through

Focuses on surviving a difficult or challenging experience.

FAQs

How can I use "undergone" in a sentence?

"Undergone" is the past participle of "undergo", meaning to experience or be subjected to something. Example: "The company has undergone significant restructuring."

What are some alternatives to using "undergone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "experienced", "went through", or "been subjected to".

Is it correct to say "has underwent" instead of "has undergone"?

No, the correct form is "has undergone". "Underwent" is the simple past tense, while "undergone" is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs like "has" or "have".

What's the difference between "undergo" and "undergone"?

"Undergo" is the base form of the verb, while "undergone" is the past participle. You use "undergo" in the present tense or infinitive form, and "undergone" to form perfect tenses (e.g., "has undergone") or as a passive participle.