under the barrier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the barrier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or location that is beneath a physical barrier or obstacle. Example: "The cat crawled under the barrier to escape the noise of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The West Bank now has about 250,000 Jewish settlers, and under the barrier's current route, an estimated 70,000 settlers live on the far side of it.

The New York Times

Two weeks earlier, in late June, members of Hamas, the Palestinian group, had tunnelled under the barrier separating southern Gaza from Israel and captured an Israeli soldier.

The New Yorker

Instead video that appears to have been taken at the scene shows what seems to be the injured student being pulled roughly by her legs by a soldier from under the barrier where she had fallen.

The Guardian

This stratagem precipitated the renewed violence that erupted in June when Palestinians dug a tunnel under the barrier that surrounds Gaza and assaulted some Israeli soldiers, killing two and capturing one.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the first of ten laps I laid down in the road so I could put the camera under the barrier, and used a shutter speed of 1/500 second.

Independent

Most are in the main settlement blocks between the barrier and the pre-1967 border (some 7% of the West Bank's area under the barrier's current route), so may end up as part of Israel in a final peace deal anyway.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

During this year's Paris-Roubaix, a raft of riders ducked under the barriers as they closed at a level crossing.

The Guardian - Sport

In qualifying Rindt's Lotus suddenly swerved left under braking for the Parabolica corner and the nose of the car went under the barriers.

The Guardian - Sport

The mice were housed under the barrier-sustained condition in a well-ventilated animal room according to standard laboratory condition with free access to standard diet.

BioMed Research International

Never under-estimate the barriers attributable to buy-in, especially in the healthcare business.

Huffington Post

Under Mr Sharon, the barrier was several times pushed back towards the old 1967 border by Israel's High Court after appeals by Palestinians whose lives were made miserable by it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the barrier", ensure the context clearly indicates a physical barrier. If the barrier is metaphorical, consider alternatives like "hindered by" or "constrained by".

Common error

Avoid using "under the barrier" to describe abstract limitations or challenges. For example, instead of saying "the project suffered under the barrier of bureaucracy", use "the project was hindered by bureaucracy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the barrier" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location or position relative to a barrier. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its use in diverse contexts, such as describing physical placement or metaphorical influence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the barrier" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily used to denote a location beneath a physical or metaphorical barrier. While its occurrence is uncommon, it finds applications across diverse sources, including news, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries. When writing, be mindful of using it in abstract contexts. Alternatives such as "beneath the barrier" or "hindered by" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the barrier

This alternative directly replaces "under" with "beneath", maintaining the exact meaning of being physically below the barrier.

below the barrier

This phrase uses "below" instead of "under", indicating a similar spatial relationship to the barrier.

subject to the barrier

This implies being affected or controlled by the barrier, shifting from a physical location to a state of influence.

affected by the barrier

Focuses on the influence or impact of the barrier, moving away from a purely spatial meaning.

hindered by the barrier

Highlights the obstructive nature of the barrier, emphasizing the difficulty it causes.

constrained by the barrier

Indicates limitation or restriction imposed by the barrier, changing the focus to the effect of the barrier.

circumventing the barrier

Describes the act of avoiding or bypassing the barrier, which is a more active approach than simply being under it.

evading the barrier

Suggests actively escaping or dodging the barrier, adding an element of avoidance.

on the other side of the barrier

Shifts the focus to the location relative to the barrier, rather than directly interacting with it.

beyond the barrier

This places emphasis on a location that is past or further than the barrier, which is a broader meaning shift.

FAQs

How can I use "under the barrier" in a sentence?

You can use "under the barrier" to describe something located or occurring beneath a physical obstruction. For example, "The ball rolled under the barrier and out of bounds."

What are some alternatives to "under the barrier"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "under the barrier" include "beneath the barrier", "below the barrier", or even more descriptive phrases like "on the underside of the barrier".

Is it correct to say "under the barrier" in a metaphorical sense?

While primarily used for physical barriers, "under the barrier" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe being suppressed or limited by an obstacle. However, clearer alternatives like "hindered by" or "constrained by" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "under the barrier" and "behind the barrier"?

"Under the barrier" indicates something is located beneath the barrier, while "behind the barrier" implies a location at the rear or far side of the barrier. The phrases describe different spatial relationships.