an underdeveloped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an underdeveloped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not reached its full potential or has not been fully developed, often in contexts related to economics, technology, or personal growth. Example: "The region remains an underdeveloped area, lacking essential infrastructure and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is an underdeveloped village".

The New York Times

"We had an underdeveloped brand," he said.

The New York Times

The weakness is an underdeveloped drama that compensates for weak plotting by over-explicative dialogue.

The Guardian

This reminds me of the telecom services of an underdeveloped country".

The New York Times

It was essentially a stopgap measure, a way of reducing uncertainty in an underdeveloped economic environment.

The New York Times

"In an underdeveloped country like this, to be in power is everything," Mr. Madjid said.

The New York Times

Tried to get a "high performance" fabric cleaned in an underdeveloped country?

The New York Times - Travel

They argue that the US remains an underdeveloped country where language skills are concerned.

The Guardian

Many children today are walking around with an underdeveloped vestibular sense.

The Washington Post

In April 2017, it published a campaign on Weibo depicting Beijing as an underdeveloped city.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the basic prob lem remained the poverty and despera tion of an underdeveloped nation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an underdeveloped", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is lacking development. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an underdeveloped" without specifying what is underdeveloped. For instance, instead of saying "the country is underdeveloped", specify "the country has "an underdeveloped infrastructure"" or "an underdeveloped healthcare system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an underdeveloped" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. It characterizes something as being in a state of incomplete or insufficient development. Ludwig provides many examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an underdeveloped" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something lacking sufficient development. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify the aspect that is underdeveloped to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "a developing" or "a nascent" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. Due to its frequent usage and grammatical correctness, "an underdeveloped" remains a useful and reliable descriptive term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a developing

Focuses on the process of growth rather than a current state of deficiency.

a nascent

Implies something is just beginning to form or grow.

a rudimentary

Suggests a basic or initial stage of development.

a deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage in development.

an immature

Emphasizes a lack of maturity or full growth.

a stunted

Conveys an impeded or arrested development.

an unrefined

Indicates a lack of polishing or sophistication.

a lagging

Suggests falling behind in progress or development.

an unfulfilled

Highlights a lack of completed development or potential.

a marginalized

Focuses on being excluded from mainstream development.

FAQs

How can I use "an underdeveloped" in a sentence?

You can use "an underdeveloped" to describe something that hasn't reached its full potential or is lacking in development. For example: "The region is characterized by "an underdeveloped infrastructure"."

What are some alternatives to "an underdeveloped"?

Alternatives include "a developing", "a nascent", or "a rudimentary" depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it correct to say "a underdeveloped" instead of "an underdeveloped"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct form is "an underdeveloped" because "underdeveloped" begins with a vowel sound, and "an" is used before vowel sounds.

What is the difference between "an underdeveloped" and "a developing"?

"An underdeveloped" implies a current state of lacking development, while ""a developing"" suggests that growth or progress is actively occurring.