The subtle differences between undergo, experience and go through

6

Those who are living in apartments, sometimes may have to experience much decorating noise coming from their neighbors.

The definitions below are cited from Cambridge dictionary:

Experience - If you experience something, it happens to you, or you feel it.
Go through - to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Undergo - to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change.

So I think it is fine to either use "undergo" or "go through" to replace "experience" in above sentence, but are there any subtle differences to use these alternatives?

canoe

Posted 2013-04-04T03:39:43.910

Reputation: 2 456

This is an interesting question; I'm tempted to upvote it. It would've been much better, though, had you looked up these three words in a dictionary (perhaps you did, there's no way to know), and then included those definitions in your question (which you didn't). I have a hunch about how I'd use these three words, but I wouldn't want to leave incorrect information, and I don't have time to look them up right now. Moreover, I wouldn't want to waste time repeating what you already know. Have a look at how this user asked a similar question.

– J.R. – 2013-04-04T10:21:36.920

All right, it is a good idea to include their definitions here. Done. – canoe – 2013-04-04T13:06:36.767

Answers

7

Those who are living in apartments sometimes may have to experience much decorating noise coming from their neighbors.

It's sometimes because the experience is expected to happen at various times. Sometime would be used for a single instance

I will go to the store sometime today.

Undergo is OK to use here, but it infers a negative or difficult experience.

He has to undergo a difficult operation.

All new recruits are required to undergo a physical examination.

Go through is more likely used related to a specific occurrence, so its not a good choice for your example.

He had to go through the training program before he could be hired.

I like

Those who are living in apartments sometimes may have to endure a lot of decorating noise coming from their neighbors.

The definition of endure sense 2 (to put up with; tolerate) fits the meaning in your example.

I'm not sure if its wrong, but much doesn't sound right in your statement. I prefer a lot of.

user485

Posted 2013-04-04T03:39:43.910

Reputation:

+1 for "endure". (The bridge over the creek next to my office is being demolished and rebuilt; it is expected to take 10 months, and most of the time it will be noisy. Endurance is surely what is needed.) – barbara beeton – 2013-04-05T20:14:59.303

Asked: 2013-04-04T03:39:43.910

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Active: 2016-10-20T07:09:27.233