under my desk

USAGE SUMMARY

'under my desk' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place where something or someone is located. For example: "I found an old book under my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The brown shoebox lay under my desk.

The New Yorker

Well, I slept under my desk.

The New York Times

I considered ducking under my desk.

The New York Times - Style

He was under my desk, on the floor.

The New Yorker

And re-reading the books under my desk.

The Guardian - Money

In case of attack, I would hide under my desk.

The New York Times

Sometimes when he called I'd be lying under my desk taking a nap.

The New Yorker

The bird, meanwhile, had hopped out of the box and scampered under my desk.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the bird hopped out of the box and scampered under my desk.

The New York Times

I'd take off my shoes and roll up my suit pants under my desk.

The New York Times

Books hide under my desk; they hulk on top of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under my desk" to clearly indicate a location that is directly beneath your personal desk. It's suitable for both literal descriptions (e.g., "I keep my snacks under my desk") and figurative uses (e.g., "I'm hiding under my desk metaphorically speaking").

Common error

Avoid using "under my desk" when you mean to describe a general state of being overwhelmed or stressed without a direct connection to the desk itself. Overusing it figuratively can dilute its impact and make your writing seem less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under my desk" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of place, modifying a verb by specifying where an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it indicating the location of objects, actions, or even states of being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under my desk" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a location directly beneath someone's desk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for both literal and, less frequently, figurative usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral tone and serves to provide clear locational information. Consider context when determining figurative use of "under my desk".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath my desk

Replaces "under" with a synonym, "beneath", maintaining the same meaning and context.

below my desk

Uses "below" as a synonym for "under", indicating a lower position relative to the desk.

underneath my desk

Adds emphasis by using "underneath" instead of "under", still referring to the same location.

at the base of my desk

Describes the location more explicitly as the "base" of the desk.

by my desk on the floor

Specifies the location as "by my desk" and clarifies it's on the floor.

in the space under my desk

More descriptive, specifying the "space" beneath the desk.

underneath the surface of my desk

Emphasizes the underside surface of the desk as the location.

at my desk's base

Uses a possessive structure, "desk's base", to indicate the location.

at the foot of my desk

Uses "foot" as a metaphor for the base of the desk.

in the area below my desk

Rephrases to denote the general "area" beneath the desk.

FAQs

How can I use "under my desk" in a sentence?

You can use "under my desk" to describe the location of something. For example, "I keep a spare charger "under my desk"." or "The dog likes to sleep "under my desk" when I'm working".

What are some alternatives to saying "under my desk"?

Alternatives include "beneath my desk", "below my desk", or "underneath my desk". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "underneath of my desk" instead of "under my desk"?

While "underneath of my desk" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""under my desk"" is more common and concise. "Underneath of" can sound slightly redundant.

Can "under my desk" be used in a figurative sense?

Yes, ""under my desk"" can be used figuratively to express a desire to hide or avoid a situation, though it's more often used literally to describe a physical location.