under

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "under" is a very common word in written English and can be used in many different contexts.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "She went under the bridge to avoid the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

"This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances.

The Guardian

Ministers may want to sweep these events under the carpet, but the scars of the dispute and the subsequent closure programme remain on the memories, communities and landscapes of all coalfield communities.

The Guardian

It is a crime under the Act to send "by means of a public electronic communications network" a message or other material that is "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character".

The Guardian - Books

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The New York Times

For patients with concession cards and children aged under 16 the fee will apply for only the first 10 services in each year.

The Guardian

"People must be held to account for their actions under the rule of law and in the case of Mr Downey clearly a dreadful mistake was made by him receiving that letter".

The Guardian

The government will scrap the funding guarantees under Labor's 2011 national health reform deal.

The Guardian

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authorisation under the constitution?" he asked the US solicitor-general, Donald Verrilli, who was defending the law.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Over-under on how many of the men make it through the first round?

The Guardian - Sport

There have been regular incidents involving Serbian clubs in European competition and in December 2012 England's under-21 match ended in chaos with players being attacked on the pitch amid accusations of racism.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under" to indicate a state or condition (e.g., "under investigation"), ensure the context clearly implies the process or situation affecting the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "under" when "below" or "beneath" more accurately describe physical location. For example, say "the cat is below the table" instead of "the cat is under the table" when indicating position.

Linguistic Context

The word "under" primarily functions as a preposition, indicating location, condition, or subjection. It also serves as an adverb, modifying verbs to denote a lower state or position, and as an adjective describing something that is lower or beneath. Ludwig provides examples across these different grammatical roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "under" functions primarily as a preposition, adverb, and adjective, serving to indicate relationships of location, condition, or subjection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility, highlighting its prevalence across varied contexts. While its register typically ranges from neutral to professional, it's critical to use it accurately to avoid misinterpretations, especially in formal settings. The word is very common and, according to Ludwig examples, mainly found in "News & Media", "Formal & Business" and "Science" articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Below

Indicates a position at a lower level, similar to "under".

Beneath

Implies being directly below something, closely related to "under".

Lower than

Indicates a physical or hierarchical position that is not as high.

Subject to

Denotes being controlled or influenced by something, akin to one meaning of "under".

Less than

Expresses a quantity or amount that is smaller, similar to a numerical usage of "under".

Controlled by

Specifies being managed or directed, comparable to being "under" someone's authority.

In response to

Indicates an action taken because of something, related to facing pressure "under".

Bound by

Implies being obligated or restricted, similar to "under" legal constraints.

In the guise of

Suggests acting or appearing as something else, similar to operating "under" a name.

Covered by

Suggests being protected or included, akin to being "under" insurance.

FAQs

How can I use "under" in a sentence?

You can use "under" to indicate something is at a lower level (e.g., "the book is "under the table""), subject to something (e.g., "under investigation"), or less than a certain amount (e.g., "under 18").

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

"Under" generally implies a direct vertical relationship or subjection, while "below" indicates a lower position but may not necessarily be directly underneath. For instance, a basement is "below ground", but a rug is "under the table".

What can I say instead of "under" pressure?

You can use alternatives such as "facing pressure", "subject to pressure", or "experiencing pressure", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "under the circumstances" or "in the circumstances"?

Both "under the circumstances" and "in the circumstances" are correct, but "under the circumstances" is more common in certain idiomatic usages and implies being directly affected by the conditions.