To Undergo vs Undergoing Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To undergo (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to undergo" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I refuse to undergo surgery until all other options have been exhausted.

Undergoing (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "undergoing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Undergoing therapy can help in the recovery process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To undergo (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To undergo a medical procedure can be stressful.

  To undergo a medical procedure can be stressful.

  • "*To undergo* a medical procedure" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (stressful).
• 2. Object

  They expect me to undergo training for the new job.

  They expect me to undergo training for the new job.

  • "Me *to undergo* training for the new job" is the object of the verb "expect."
  • Noun (They) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (me *to undergo* training for the new job).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a permit to undergo the process.

  He needs a permit to undergo the process.

  • "*To undergo* the process" modifies the noun "permit."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a permit *to undergo* the process).

Undergoing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Undergoing rehabilitation is important after surgery.

  Undergoing rehabilitation is important after surgery.

  • "*Undergoing* rehabilitation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important after surgery).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys undergoing different treatments at the spa.

  She enjoys undergoing different treatments at the spa.

  • "*Undergoing* different treatments at the spa" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*undergoing* different treatments at the spa).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of undergoing surgery.

  He has a fear of undergoing surgery.

  • "Of *undergoing* surgery" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *undergoing* surgery).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• decide
• refuse
• want
• attempt
• determine

Example

She decided to undergo the surgery to improve her health.

He refuses to undergo any unnecessary medical treatments.

They want to undergo a cosmetic procedure for a new look.

We attempted to undergo a new experimental treatment.

The doctor determined to undergo a thorough examination.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They avoid undergoing unnecessary medical procedures.

The doctor recommends undergoing regular check-ups for early detection.

I am considering undergoing therapy for my mental well-being.

She decided to postpone undergoing surgery until next month.

Can you imagine yourself undergoing a major life-changing operation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to undergo a complete transformation. She would like undergoing a complete transformation.

He started to undergo physical therapy after the accident. He started undergoing physical therapy after the accident.

They began to undergo counseling for their relationship issues. They began undergoing counseling for their relationship issues.