Conjugation of "Undergo" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To experience or be subjected to something, typically something difficult or unpleasant; to go through.
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All 12 Tenses of "Undergo"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "undergo" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I undergo |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I undergoed |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will undergo |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am undergoing |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was undergoing |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be undergoing |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have undergoed |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had undergoed |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have undergoed |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been undergoing |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been undergoing |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been undergoing |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Undergo" — Underwent
The past simple of "undergo" is "underwent". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "undergo" is irregular, "underwent" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
- The building underwent significant renovations to meet modern safety standards. C1
Past Participle of "Undergo" — Undergone
The past participle of "undergo" is "undergone". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have undergone"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was undergone"). Because "undergo" is irregular, "undergone" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Undergo" Regular or Irregular?
"Undergo" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "undergo", past simple "underwent", and past participle "undergone". The 3rd-person singular present is "undergoes" and the present participle/gerund is "undergoing". Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed for past simple and past participle.
Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed for past simple and past participle
How to Pronounce "Undergo" and Its Forms
Undergo: /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ/ — Stress pattern: ooO
Stress the third syllable: un-der-GO. Say 'GOHW' not 'GOWH'. The 'o' in 'go' is long.
Common mispronunciation of "undergo"
Some learners stress the first syllable (UN-der-go) or second (un-DER-go). Always stress the third syllable: un-der-GO.
Syllable breakdown: un · der · go
How to Use "Undergo" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'undergo' for processes or changes that happen to someone, especially formal contexts. Common in medical, academic, and business writing. Usually takes a concrete noun (surgery, training, testing).
undergo + noun (e.g., undergo surgery)undergo + noun phrase (e.g., undergo a complete transformation)subject + undergo
Example Sentences with "Undergo" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Young people undergo many changes during their teenage years. C1
- Simple Past: The building underwent significant renovations to meet modern safety standards. C1
- Simple Future: The patient will undergo surgery next week to repair the torn ligament. C1
Common Collocations with "Undergo"
- undergo surgery
- undergo treatment
- undergo change
- undergo transformation
- undergo testing
When to Use "Undergo" vs Similar Verbs
"undergo" vs "undertake"
Both use 'under-' but 'undertake' means 'commit to do' while 'undergo' means 'experience/endure something'
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- experience — More neutral; suitable for positive or negative events
- endure — Emphasizes suffering or difficulty; more literary
- go through — Informal; conversational version with same meaning
Common Mistakes with "Undergo"
-
Wrong: She undergo often.
Correct: She undergos often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Origin and Etymology of "Undergo"
From Old English 'undergān' (to go under). 'Under-' (beneath/below) + 'go' (move). Developed into 'experience' meaning in Middle English from the sense of 'passing through/enduring'.
Other Forms of "Undergo"
- Noun: undergoing
Conjugation Tables for "Undergo"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not undergo · He does not undergo
- Simple past: I did not undergo · She did not undergo
- Present perfect: I have not undergone · He has not undergone
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you undergo? · Does he undergo?
- Simple past: Did you undergo?
- Present perfect: Have you undergone?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is undergone
- Simple past passive: It was undergone
- Present perfect passive: It has been undergone
Frequently Asked Questions About "Undergo"
- Is "undergo" regular or irregular?
- "undergo" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "undergoed" and past participle is "undergoed". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "undergo"?
- The simple past of "undergo" is "undergoed".
- Are the past simple and past participle the same for "undergo"?
- Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "undergoed".