verb phrase · neutral

undergo surgery

UK/ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ ˈsɜːdʒəri/US/ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ ˈsɜːrdʒəri/un·der·GO SUR·ge·ry

Band 5-6speakingtask2

to have a surgical operation as a patient

Examples

She had to undergo surgery to remove the tumour.

After the accident, he underwent surgery on his knee.

Many patients undergo surgery as a last resort.

Band 8 sentence

After the scan revealed complications, she had to undergo surgery to prevent further damage.

Collocations

  • undergo major/minor surgery
  • undergo emergency surgery

Word family

surgery nounsurgeon nounperform surgery verb phrase (doctor)

Common mistakes

do a surgeryundergo surgery

make surgeryperform surgery (doctor) / undergo surgery (patient)

Say it for a higher band

5do a surgery6have surgery7+undergo surgery

Synonyms

have surgery

go into surgery

Easily confused

have surgery

He will have surgery next week to repair the damage.

Related words

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In Health & Fitness

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