a underdog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a underdog" is not correct; it should be "an underdog." You can use it to describe someone or something that is expected to lose but has the potential to succeed. Example: "The small team was seen as an underdog in the championship game." Alternative expressions include "a dark horse" and "a long shot."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

So Duke is in the unenviable position of trying to outscore a underdog that will have the crowd at its back.

The New York Times

Most of the models have been trending toward the Republicans over the past month in Louisiana, and The Upshot currently considers the Democratic incumbent, Mary Landrieu, to be a underdog for re-election.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Americans like an outsider, an underdog, an unlikely hero.

Huffington Post

Every once in a while an underdog defeats a Titan.

Huffington Post

He's a normal guy, an underdog, an overachiever.

The New York Times - Sports

The United States remains an underdog, but a much-improved one.

The New York Times

A pup and an underdog.

BBC

His rsum portrays an underdog and a fighter.

Forbes

He's a bit of an underdog, he's understated.

Huffington Post

They defined an underdog as an "ethnic minority facing discrimination".

The New York Times

After all, Tim Tebow is a superstar masquerading as an underdog.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always determine the use of 'a' versus 'an' based on the sound that follows the article. Since 'underdog' begins with a vowel sound /ʌ/, the correct article is always 'an'.

Common error

Avoid choosing an article based solely on the first letter of the following word. While 'u' is a vowel, words like 'university' start with a consonant sound and take 'a', whereas 'underdog' starts with a vowel sound and must take 'an'.

How to use

Learn how to use "a underdog" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "a underdog" (properly "an underdog") acts as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or the direct object. Based on Ludwig AI, the exact phrase "a underdog" is a grammatical lapse found in transcriptions or unedited journalistic content.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The search results from Ludwig indicate that while the exact phrase "a underdog" appears in highly authoritative sources like The New York Times, it is universally recognized as a grammatical error. The word 'underdog' begins with a vowel sound, necessitating the use of 'an'. In almost all instances where the search results show the correct "an underdog", the context is competitive—ranging from sports and politics to cinema. Writers should always use "an underdog" to maintain professional standards, or opt for synonyms like "a dark horse" when referring to a mysterious but capable competitor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an underdog

Uses the correct indefinite article for a word starting with a vowel sound

a dark horse

Refers to a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins

a long shot

Emphasizes the very low probability of the subject succeeding

a bottom dog

Focuses on the lowest person in a hierarchy or the one most disadvantaged

a sleeper

Common in sports and entertainment to describe something that achieves sudden, unexpected success

an unlikely winner

Describes the outcome rather than the status of the competitor

a scrappy competitor

Focuses on the determined and aggressive spirit of the disadvantaged party

a lesser-known rival

Highlights the lack of public recognition or fame

a disadvantaged participant

Offers a more clinical or formal sociological description

a long-shot candidate

Specifically applies the concept of low probability to political or electoral contexts

FAQs

How do I use "a underdog" in a sentence?

Technically, you should not use it. Instead, use "an underdog". For example: 'The local team entered the tournament as an underdog'.

What can I say instead of "a underdog"?

You can use more idiomatic or precise terms like "a dark horse", "a long shot" or "an unlikely winner".

Which is correct, "a underdog" or "an underdog"?

The correct form is "an underdog". Even though high-profile sources like The New York Times occasionally contain the former, these are considered typos.

What is the difference between "an underdog" and "a dark horse"?

While "an underdog" is someone known to be at a disadvantage, "a dark horse" is a competitor whose true abilities or chances of winning are unknown to the public.