ENGLISH
REFERENCE

underwent

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌəndɝˈwɛnt// UK //ˌʌndəwˈɛnt// un·der·went

v. to experience something, especially a change, a medical treatment, or a difficult process.

v. to experience or be subjected to something, typically a process that is unpleasant, necessary, or transformative. The past tense of 'undergo'.


SIMPLE

The old building underwent a complete renovation last year.

CONTEXTUAL

The patient underwent several tests before the doctors could confirm the diagnosis and start the treatment.

COMPLEX

The aerospace industry underwent a period of rapid consolidation as smaller firms merged to survive the rising costs of research and development.

Synonyms
Usage

Transitive verb — always takes a direct object. As the past tense form, it does not take an auxiliary 'did' in affirmative statements.

Pitfall

He was underwent surgeryHe underwent surgeryLearners often treat 'underwent' as a passive participle; it is an active past tense verb.

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