are so underdeveloped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are so underdeveloped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly lacking in development or progress, often in a critical context. Example: "The infrastructure in the region is so underdeveloped that it hampers economic growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Brazilian companies typically underinvest in productivity-boosting equipment because the capital markets are so underdeveloped.

The Economist

He tries to be erudite and charming, but his social skills are so underdeveloped that his verbosity is entirely counterproductive, and the girl walks out on him.

The Guardian - Film

In children as young as 8, parts of the brain that weigh decisions and consequences are so underdeveloped that a child might not understand the finality of death.

The New York Times

The criminals, however, are so underdeveloped, characterised mostly by their garish tattoos and Mohawks, that you may feel like sending them to a reform school for overacting.

BBC

(Too bad all the other characters are so underdeveloped).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But energy storage is so underdeveloped".

The New York Times

Sicily is so rich but it is so underdeveloped, because we don't use correctly the riches we have.

The Guardian

"But there is still incredible potential for growth in Spain, because the Internet is so underdeveloped in this country".

The New York Times

Yet much of the countryside remains in a third world time warp, and Albania's economy is so underdeveloped that it still imports staples like milk and sugar.

The New York Times

As George Arzt, a political consultant, noted, Mr. Thompson's profile was so underdeveloped that Mr. Bloomberg's campaign did him a favor by running months of relentlessly negative commercials.

The New York Times

And the country's capital markets were so underdeveloped that, as Hoffman says, "there was no mechanism to reward the good and punish the bad".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are so underdeveloped", ensure the context clearly defines what is underdeveloped and why it matters. Provide specific examples or consequences to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "are so underdeveloped" without providing context or specific details. Broad statements lack impact and can be easily dismissed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are so underdeveloped" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun phrase, indicating a significant lack of progress or development. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it emphasizes the intensity of the underdevelopment. Ludwig examples showcase usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are so underdeveloped" is a descriptive phrase used to emphasize a significant lack of progress or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable across different contexts, although it's more common in news and media and science-related discussions. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to provide context and specific details to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "are severely underdeveloped" or "are significantly underdeveloped" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. By providing clear context and avoiding broad statements, you can use this phrase effectively to highlight deficiencies and prompt meaningful discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are severely underdeveloped

Emphasizes the intensity of underdevelopment with "severely".

are extremely underdeveloped

Uses "extremely" to highlight the extent of underdevelopment.

are significantly underdeveloped

Replaces "so" with "significantly" to denote a considerable lack of development.

are very underdeveloped

Uses "very" instead of "so" for a slightly less formal tone.

suffer from underdevelopment

Shifts the focus to the negative consequences of underdevelopment.

are lacking in development

Expresses the idea as a lack or absence of development.

exhibit deficient development

Uses more formal and technical terms like "exhibit" and "deficient".

are in a rudimentary state

Describes the underdeveloped state as being basic or initial.

are far from fully developed

Highlights the distance from reaching full development.

are underdeveloped to a great extent

Specifies the degree of underdevelopment.

FAQs

How can I use "are so underdeveloped" in a sentence?

Use "are so underdeveloped" to describe something lacking significant progress or development. For example, "The infrastructure in the rural areas "are so underdeveloped" that it hinders economic growth".

What phrases are similar to "are so underdeveloped"?

Similar phrases include "are severely underdeveloped", "are extremely underdeveloped", or "are significantly underdeveloped", all indicating a substantial lack of progress.

Is it correct to say "is so underdeveloped" instead of "are so underdeveloped"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is" with singular subjects (e.g., "The region is so underdeveloped") and "are" with plural subjects (e.g., "The infrastructure "are so underdeveloped"").

What's the difference between "are underdeveloped" and "are so underdeveloped"?

"Are underdeveloped" indicates a general state of insufficient development. "Are so underdeveloped" intensifies the statement, emphasizing a greater degree of underdevelopment. The addition of "so" amplifies the extent of the deficiency.