are underlain by

USAGE SUMMARY

'are underlain by' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to suggest that something is the foundation, basis, or support of something else. For example: "Our beliefs are underlain by a shared commitment to justice and equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accordingly, we identify some fast-flow tributaries underlain by topography that has been streamlined and other tributaries that are underlain by sediments.

Geomorphology

Soils nearly everywhere are underlain by permafrost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The more resistant rocks form ridges, and the valleys are underlain by weaker ones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Extensive areas of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia are underlain by Devonian rocks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bermuda and the Bahama Islands also are underlain by young limestones that are highly "karstified".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parts of the lowland are underlain by an extensive oil field that also has large natural gas deposits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parts of the area that Maisel focussed on are underlain by light-colored alkaline rocks, which formed through the evaporation of an ancient body of water.

The New Yorker

The troughs are underlain by more or less vertical ice wedges 0.6 to 3 metres across on the top that are joined together in a honeycomb network.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These plains are underlain by the recent, deep sediments of the Great Artesian Basin, which constitutes a reliable source of water for livestock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mackenzie Lowlands are underlain by flat-lying sedimentary rock of the Cretaceous (i.e., about 100 million years old) and Devonian (about 400 million years old) periods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plains are underlain by limestones of Miocene age (those about 23 to 5.3 million years old) and, in many areas, by calcrete, a calcareous soil accumulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geographical areas, use "are underlain by" to clearly indicate the geological composition beneath the surface. For instance, "The plains are underlain by limestone of Miocene age."

Common error

Avoid using "are underlain by" when you mean to say something actively supports something else. "Are underlain by" describes a subsurface condition, not an active support mechanism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are underlain by" functions as a passive verb phrase, describing the composition or structure of something by indicating what lies beneath it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are underlain by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe what lies beneath a surface or forms the foundation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found most frequently in scientific and encyclopedic contexts, demonstrating its utility in formal, factual writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a subsurface condition rather than an active support mechanism. Alternatives such as "are supported by" or "are based on" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are supported by

Focuses on the idea of support rather than a physical underlying layer.

rest upon

Implies a dependency or foundation similar to 'underlain', but with a more metaphorical sense.

are based on

Indicates that something is the foundation or reason for something else, often in a conceptual sense.

have their foundation in

More formal, emphasizing the foundational nature.

are grounded in

Suggests a solid and reliable basis.

are rooted in

Implies a deep, historical or fundamental connection.

are predicated on

Emphasizes that something is necessarily true if something else is true.

lie beneath

More literal, referring to a physical location beneath something.

are subject to

Indicates that something is affected or controlled by something else.

are influenced by

Highlights the impact of something on something else.

FAQs

How is "are underlain by" used in a sentence?

The phrase "are underlain by" is used to describe what lies beneath a surface or what forms the foundation of something. For example, "The coastal aquifers "are underlain by" various geological formations" indicates that the geological formations are beneath the aquifers.

What does it mean when something "are underlain by" something else?

When something "are underlain by" something else, it means that the latter forms a base or subsurface layer for the former. This is common in geological or structural descriptions.

What can I say instead of "are underlain by"?

You can use alternatives like "are supported by", "rest upon", or "are based on" depending on the context.

Is "are underlain by" formal or informal language?

"Are underlain by" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for scientific, technical, and academic writing. It is less common in casual conversation.