in the underpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the underpass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a location that is situated beneath a road or railway, typically for pedestrians or vehicles to pass through. Example: "The children played safely in the underpass while waiting for their parents to pick them up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In the underpass, alternating brick courses create a powerful pattern of converging lines.

The New York Times - Arts

People who, if necessary, set up their own party – or indeed show – in the underpass.

The Guardian

The man was found in the underpass of exit three of the station, the Metropolitan police said.

The Guardian

The idea came after she heard a violin student busking in the underpass near Baker Street station.

The Guardian

On first arriving, I saw a couple still bedded down in the underpass below the railway station.

The Guardian - Film

Migration Aid began helping 100-200 refugees in the underpass to Keleti metro station five months ago.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The graffiti in the underpasses has mostly been there for years with nothing added or changed.

Independent

When the NoMa Parks Foundation, an affiliate of the NoMa BID, began considering construction plans several years ago, there were fewer people living in tents in the underpasses on L and M streets, Jasper said.

The Washington Post

I think Ballard's dystopian vision appealed to generations later than his own, those who had spent their childhoods in newly built cityscapes already in decline, in the underpasses and overpasses of 1960s construction.

The Guardian - Books

Some rough sleepers can be seen in the underpasses and shop doorways of our city centres, but many thousands more are secreted away – out of sight, out of mind, but at enormous personal risk in remote parks, commons, even reportedly in caves.

The Guardian - Opinion

In both films hoodies set up camp on a favoured spot and punish trespassers – in Harry Brown they seize the underpass, in The Disappeared it's the children's playground.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For descriptive writing, combine “in the underpass” with sensory details to create vivid imagery, such as the echo of footsteps or the dampness of the walls.

Common error

Avoid using "under the underpass" when you mean "in the underpass". "Under" implies a position directly beneath the structure, while "in" accurately describes being located within the space of the underpass.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the underpass" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location. It specifies where something is or where an action takes place, as shown in Ludwig's examples: "People who, if necessary, set up their own party – or indeed show – in the underpass."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Travel

15%

Film

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the underpass" is a common prepositional phrase used to denote a location within an underpass, providing spatial context in various narratives. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media, travel, and film contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, you can vary your writing with alternatives like "within the underpass" or "beneath the underpass" for nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the underpass

Replaces "in" with "within" indicating containment inside the underpass.

inside the underpass

Uses "inside" to specify the location more explicitly as being within the underpass.

beneath the underpass

Indicates a position directly below the underpass structure.

underneath the underpass

Similar to "beneath" but emphasizes the covered aspect of the location.

through the underpass

Suggests movement or passage from one end to the other of the underpass.

in the subway

A synonym and an alternative to indicate the underpass.

within the tunnel

Refers to a tunnel-like structure, which an underpass often is.

inside the passageway

Suggests a location inside a narrow passage.

in the tunnel

Uses the term 'tunnel' as a close alternative to an underpass.

under the bridge

Indicates a location beneath a bridge structure, similar to an underpass.

FAQs

How can I use "in the underpass" in a sentence?

You can use "in the underpass" to specify a location beneath a road or railway, such as: "The musicians were playing "in the underpass" near the station."

What's the difference between "in the underpass" and "under the bridge"?

"In the underpass" refers to the space within a structure designed to pass under a road or railway, while "under the bridge" indicates a location directly beneath a bridge. The phrases are not interchangeable. Under the bridge usually implies the physical location of something beneath a bridge while "in the underpass" emphasizes being inside a defined passage.

What can I say instead of "in the underpass"?

Depending on the context, you could use "within the underpass", "beneath the underpass", or "through the underpass".

Is "in the underpass" formal or informal?

"In the underpass" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.