ENGLISH
REFERENCE

undergoes

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈəndɝˌɡoʊz// UK //ˌʌndəɡˈəʊz// un·der·goes

v. to experience a process or a change. You use this when something happens to a person or thing, especially when it is a long or difficult process.

v. to experience or be subjected to a process, change, or treatment. Transitive — requires a direct object, typically a noun phrase representing the process.


SIMPLE

The old building undergoes repairs every summer.

CONTEXTUAL

New medical treatments must undergo several years of testing before they are approved for the general public.

COMPLEX

The caterpillar undergoes a complete metamorphosis within the chrysalis, eventually emerging as a butterfly with entirely different physical structures and biological functions.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is often used in the passive voice when the focus is on the object being changed.

Pitfall

The car undergoes from a transformation.The car undergoes a transformation.Undergo is a transitive verb; it takes a direct object and should not be followed by the preposition 'from'.

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