place underground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "place underground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of putting something below the surface of the ground, often in contexts related to construction, storage, or burial. Example: "The city plans to place underground utilities to improve the aesthetics of the streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Searches for extremely rare, neutrino-less nuclear decays are taking place underground in Gran Sasso, Italy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No small amount of "Lowboy" takes place underground, in subway cars and stations.

The New York Times - Books

Many abortions were still taking place underground and off the books at that time.

The Washington Post

What took place underground a few years ago, is now happening in public".

The Guardian

One of the Parnngurr artists, Wokka Taylor, explained: "Forever that uranium belongs to that place, underground.

The Guardian

Some of the other seven boring machines have reached their final resting place underground.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Damaged plants were moved to remote areas or placed underground.

The New York Times - Books

Great pipes were placed underground to take care of the inflow and outflow of water.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1884 the city required all electrical wires and cables to be placed underground.

The New York Times

Portable seismographs look like mini-kegs, or time capsules, and they need to be placed underground and on a level.

The New Yorker

Once placed underground, the behavior of CPB is controlled by complex multiphysics (thermal, hydraulic, chemical and mechanical) processes.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "place underground" when you want to emphasize the act of positioning something below the surface, especially when discussing utilities, infrastructure, or deliberate concealment.

Common error

Avoid using "place underground" when simpler alternatives like "bury" or "hide" would suffice, especially in informal writing. Choose the most concise and appropriate wording for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "place underground" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of positioning or putting something beneath the surface of the ground. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used in contexts related to construction, infrastructure, and burial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

15%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "place underground" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of putting something beneath the surface. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. It serves the purpose of describing a physical action, often related to construction, infrastructure, or concealment. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted to various levels of formality depending on the surrounding context. It's important to consider simpler alternatives like "bury" or "hide" in informal writing to avoid wordiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bury beneath the surface

Focuses on the act of covering something with earth or other material.

Install below ground

Specifically refers to the installation of utilities or structures.

Deposit underground

Implies a deliberate action of putting something below the surface.

Put beneath the earth

Uses a more poetic or descriptive tone for burial or concealment.

Subterranean placement

Emphasizes the location being underground.

Lower into the ground

Describes the action of moving something downwards into the earth.

Conceal under the surface

Highlights the act of hiding something from view.

Set in subterranean location

Highlights the setting or positioning in an underground space.

Inter beneath the soil

A more formal term for burial, typically used in funerary contexts.

Enclose below the grade

Common in civil engineering works.

FAQs

How can I use "place underground" in a sentence?

You can use "place underground" when referring to the action of putting something below the surface of the earth. For example: "The city plans to place underground utilities to improve aesthetics."

What can I say instead of "place underground"?

You can use alternatives like "bury beneath the surface", "install below ground", or "deposit underground" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "place underground" instead of "bury"?

"Bury" is generally used for covering something with soil, often in a funerary context, while "place underground" is broader and can refer to any deliberate positioning beneath the surface, such as utilities or infrastructure. Using "bury" for objects that are not meant to decompose or be permanently interred could sound unnatural.

Is there a difference between "place underground" and "install underground"?

"Install underground" specifically refers to setting up or connecting something below the surface, typically utilities or equipment. "Place underground" is a more general term for putting something below the surface, not necessarily involving a setup or connection process.