What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incur
Example
If you don't pay your bills on time, you will incur late fees. [incur: verb]
Example
The company incurred significant losses due to poor management. [incurred: past tense]
Example
He knew he would incur his boss's wrath if he missed the deadline. [incur: transitive verb]
undergo
Example
She had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. [undergo: verb]
Example
The team had to undergo rigorous training before the competition. [undergo: transitive verb]
Example
He underwent a dramatic transformation after losing weight and gaining confidence. [underwent: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Undergo is more commonly used than incur in everyday language. Undergo is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incur is less common and often used in specific financial or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incur and undergo?
While incur is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, undergo is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
