is under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state of being beneath or subject to something, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The document is under review by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Zliten is under attack.

The Economist

Congress's is under 30%.

The Economist

That is under control.

The Economist

"Tibet is under China.

The New York Times

Inflation is under control.

The Economist

He is under arrest.

The Economist

That is under way.

The New York Times

That case is under appeal.

The New York Times

That effort is under way.

The New Yorker

America again is under taxed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Holly Cavanaugh is under-rated.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is under", ensure clarity regarding what entity is being controlled, influenced, or located beneath something else. For instance, "The city is under siege" clearly indicates a state of attack.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the limits of what the subject "is under". For example, instead of saying "The project is under development", specify "The initial phase of the project is under development" to avoid overgeneralization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under" primarily functions as a copular verb construction followed by a preposition, indicating a state of being subject to, controlled by, or located beneath something. Ludwig AI shows this in examples such as "Zliten is under attack" or "That case is under appeal."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is under" is a common and versatile construction used to indicate a state of being influenced, controlled, or subjected to something. According to Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to convey information about the condition or status of a subject, often in contexts such as news and media. The analysis reveals that while grammatically correct, clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity regarding the scope of what is being influenced or controlled. With alternatives like "is subject to" and "is undergoing" available, choosing the most precise wording can enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is subject to

Replaces "under" with "subject to", emphasizing control or influence.

is undergoing

Emphasizes a process or experience happening to something.

is experiencing

Similar to "is undergoing", but focuses on the current state of experiencing something.

is facing

Highlights a challenge or difficulty being confronted.

is dealing with

Focuses on the act of handling or managing a situation.

is in the midst of

Indicates that something is currently happening or being done.

is being subjected to

Similar to "is subject to", but with a stronger emphasis on external forces.

is affected by

Indicates that something is being influenced or changed by something else.

is controlled by

Emphasizes the act of being managed or directed by someone or something.

is influenced by

Highlights the impact of external factors on something.

FAQs

How can I use "is under" in a sentence?

You can use "is under" to indicate that something is controlled, being subjected to something, or located below something else. For example, "The investigation "is underway"" or "The cat is under the table".

What are some alternatives to using "is under"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is subject to", "is undergoing", or "is facing".

When is it appropriate to use "is under" versus "is being"?

"Is under" often implies control or influence, while "is being" typically describes an action being performed. For example, "The city is under control" versus "The city is being rebuilt".

What's the difference between "is under" and "is below"?

"Is under" can imply a state of control or influence, while "is below" usually indicates physical position. For instance, "The company "is under new management"" versus "The basement is below the first floor".