was undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or change that someone or something is experiencing in the past. Example: "The patient was undergoing treatment for her condition when the doctor made a breakthrough discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was undergoing treatment".

The Guardian

He was undergoing a profound change.

The Guardian

Mumbai was undergoing a coordinated terrorist attack.

The New York Times

What I was undergoing had a name!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Kaminsky was undergoing a transformation of her own.

The New York Times - Style

At the time the field of botany was undergoing changes.

The New York Times

The next day, he was undergoing heart-bypass surgery.

The New York Times

He was undergoing chemotherapy even though it made him sick.

The Guardian - Books

At the time, Domino's was undergoing a financial crisis.

The New Yorker

"It was Sunday, and he was undergoing examinations," he said.

The New York Times

Soon after, the entire Zheng family was undergoing intense interrogation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was undergoing" to describe a process, treatment, or transformation that occurred over a period of time in the past. It's particularly useful when highlighting changes or procedures someone experienced.

Common error

Avoid using "was undergoing" to describe a static state or a one-time event. Instead, reserve it for situations involving a process or a series of actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was undergoing" functions as the past continuous tense of the verb 'undergo', indicating that someone or something was in the process of experiencing or being subjected to something at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show it used for treatments, changes and transformations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was undergoing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a process, experience, or transformation happening in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and useful in written English. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "was undergoing", make sure to highlight an action that occurred over time and is now complete. Alternatives include "experienced" and "went through", though they have slightly different connotations. Avoid using it for static states or one-time events. With these guidelines, you're well-equipped to use "was undergoing" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was experiencing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the process or state.

was in the process of

Emphasizes the active steps being taken.

experienced

Focuses on the direct sensation or feeling of the process.

was in the midst of

Highlights that the event was happening concurrently with other activities.

went through

Emphasizes the completion or passage through a particular phase.

was being subjected to

Suggests an external force or influence causing the experience.

was subject to

Indicates that the subject was on the receiving end of an action or process, often involuntary.

faced

Implies confronting or dealing with something challenging.

endured

Focuses on the act of bearing something difficult or painful.

encountered

Suggests a chance meeting with a situation or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "was undergoing" in a sentence?

Use "was undergoing" to describe a process or experience happening in the past. For example, "The company "was undergoing" a major restructuring last year".

What are some alternatives to "was undergoing"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "experienced", "went through", or "was experiencing".

Is it correct to say "is undergoing" instead of "was undergoing"?

Yes, "is undergoing" is correct for describing a process happening now, while "was undergoing" describes a process that happened in the past. For example, "The project is undergoing changes" vs. "The project "was undergoing" changes last year".

What's the difference between "was undergoing" and "was subjected to"?

"Was undergoing" implies a process, often chosen or necessary, while "was subjected to" suggests an involuntary or imposed experience. For example, "He "was undergoing" physical therapy" vs. "He was subjected to harsh criticism".