an underlying level of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an underlying level of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a foundational or hidden aspect of something, often in discussions about psychology, economics, or social issues. Example: "There is an underlying level of anxiety that affects many students during exam periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"There's an underlying level of support we have for each other that we take for granted.

The Guardian - Film

It isn't perfect, obviously – there seems to be an underlying level of caution on the part of the creators.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But every sociological bone in my body tells me that for this finding to be robust there needs to be an underlying level of civil society.

The New York Times - Science

The north has always been a remote and poorly governed area, with an underlying level of corruption," he told AFP. "Some district police and border guards are being paid off, some even rent out their own firearms".

The Guardian

Sarah Veale, head of employment rights at the Trades Union Congress, says any workforce driven to the point of strike action has a grievance reflecting "an underlying level of noise" in an unhappy workplace: "We need to have some kind of controlled means of that kind of grievance coming out".

The Guardian - Business

One way for the search team to attack a problem of this scale was to put machine learning to bear on it, but it required more than an underlying level of intelligence to make this work.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In particular, despite recent evidence that VAD supplementation is effective in significantly reducing morbidity [36], our lack of data on existing levels of supplementation required us to apply conservative effectiveness rates, since the incremental effectiveness of any intervention would be expected to diminish with any underlying level of supplementation greater than zero.

Plosone

It occurs when subgroups (e.g. women and men) respond differently to an item, even though they have an identical underlying level of functional health [ 37].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

That is, if respondents have the same underlying level of an attribute, such as disability, does the measure give the same score in different populations?

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

That is, if respondents have the same underlying level of an attribute, does the measure give the same score in different populations or is it biased in some groups?

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

That is, if respondents have the same underlying level of an attribute, does the item give the same score in different subgroups or is it biased towards one subgroup or another.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an underlying level of" to describe foundational aspects, often unacknowledged or less visible, influencing a situation or phenomenon. For example, "an underlying level of anxiety".

Common error

Avoid using "an underlying level of" when referring to direct or surface-level observations. The phrase is best suited for implied or less obvious aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an underlying level of" functions as a qualifier, typically modifying a noun to indicate a foundational, often unseen, aspect or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an underlying level of" is a phrase used to denote a foundational or less apparent aspect of something. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal contexts, particularly in science and news media. It's most effective when aiming to reveal insights beyond surface-level observations. While synonyms like "a fundamental level of" and "a basic level of" exist, "an underlying level of" specifically highlights the often hidden or less acknowledged nature of the element being described, contributing depth and nuance to discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental level of

Replaces 'underlying' with 'fundamental', emphasizing the foundational nature.

a basic level of

Substitutes 'underlying' with 'basic', indicating a primary or elementary stage.

an inherent level of

Replaces 'underlying' with 'inherent', highlighting an intrinsic quality.

a latent level of

Uses 'latent' instead of 'underlying', suggesting a hidden or concealed aspect.

a foundational level of

Emphasizes the role as a base or groundwork.

a concealed level of

Replaces 'underlying' with 'concealed', focusing on the hidden nature.

an unacknowledged level of

Highlights that the level is not openly recognized or admitted.

a subconscious level of

Implies that the level operates beneath conscious awareness.

a bedrock level of

Replaces 'underlying' with 'bedrock', stressing the stability and fundamental importance.

a groundwork level of

Emphasizes the preparatory or introductory nature of the level.

FAQs

How can I use "an underlying level of" in a sentence?

Use "an underlying level of" to describe a fundamental or less visible aspect that influences a situation. For instance, "There's "an underlying level of" tension in the room".

What are some alternatives to "an underlying level of"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental level of", "a basic level of", or "an inherent level of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an underlying level of" in formal writing?

Yes, "an underlying level of" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing complex systems, emotions, or societal factors. Consider the context to ensure the tone is appropriate.

What's the difference between "an underlying level of" and "an obvious level of"?

"An underlying level of" refers to something not immediately apparent, a foundational or hidden aspect. "An obvious level of", on the other hand, refers to something easily noticeable or overt. Thus, they are opposites.