went under surgery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went under surgery" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an individual undergoing an operation or medical procedure. For example: "His appendix burst and he had to go under surgery immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is reported as ssaying: "Guru is in a coma and will go under surgery tomorrow afternoon".

The Guardian - Music

His humour went under-appreciated.

BBC

doggo went under for surgery and now he is DRUGGO pic.twitter.com/ZTJpqapbGq.

Huffington Post

All of the respondents had either been assessed for surgery or went under the knife at least once within the last five years.

Vice

According to the randomized, double-blind control trial — some subjects had the real surgery, others went under the knife but didn't get the operation, and neither the patients nor the scientists evaluating the results knew who got which — the procedure "failed to provide any sustained improvement," Zivadinov and his colleagues write.

The New York Times

Also this week: Courtney Stodden broke her "all natural" oath and went under the knife for breast enhancement surgery.

Huffington Post

On July 4 , 1997 Amado Carrillo Fuentes went under the knife in Mexico City for plastic surgery meant to help him avoid detection by authorities.

Vice

One of the most terrifying stories is the case of "William," a British man who went under general anesthesia for some routine root canal surgery in 2005.

Vice

Sepulveda went under.

The New Yorker

Apple nearly went under.

The New York Times

The whale went under.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "underwent surgery" or "had surgery" for clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Be mindful of using passive voice constructions that obscure who performed the surgery. Instead of "went under surgery", specify who performed the operation if relevant, such as "Dr. Smith performed the surgery".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went under surgery" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of undergoing a surgical procedure. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, but less common than other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "went under surgery" is not the most common way to express that someone had a surgical procedure. Ludwig AI suggests that alternatives such as "underwent surgery" or "had surgery" are more frequently used and might be preferred for clarity and formality. Consider the context and audience when choosing the best phrase for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent surgery

Uses a more formal verb "underwent" to convey the same meaning of having surgery.

had surgery

A simpler, more common way to express that someone experienced a surgical procedure.

went through surgery

Emphasizes the process and experience of having surgery.

was operated on

Focuses on the action performed by medical professionals.

had an operation

Replaces "surgery" with the more general term "operation".

was subjected to surgery

Highlights that the surgery was something imposed upon the individual.

received surgical treatment

Focuses on the medical care received, rather than the act of undergoing surgery.

submitted to surgery

Implies a degree of consent or willingness to undergo the procedure.

experienced a surgical procedure

A more technical and detailed way to describe having surgery.

went under the knife

An idiomatic expression referring to having surgery.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "went under surgery"?

More common alternatives include "underwent surgery", "had surgery", or "had an operation".

Is "went under surgery" grammatically correct?

Yes, "went under surgery" is grammatically correct, but it's less frequently used than other alternatives. While understandable, prioritizing clarity and conciseness in writing ensures effective communication.

Can "went under surgery" be used in formal writing?

While not incorrect, "went under surgery" is generally considered less formal. In professional or academic contexts, alternatives like "underwent surgery" or "had surgery" are often preferred.

What's the difference between "went under surgery" and "went under the knife"?

"Went under surgery" is a literal description of having a surgical procedure. "Went under the knife" is an idiomatic expression with the same general meaning, but it can sometimes carry a slightly more negative or dramatic connotation.