under the debris

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the debris" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to things that are buried or covered by the remains of destruction or a wreck. For example, "After the hurricane, rescue teams searched under the debris for survivors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I discovered them under the debris".

The New York Times

We don't know what's under the debris.

The Guardian

Many of the dead and wounded were buried under the debris.

The New York Times

Rescue workers were searching for victims and survivors trapped under the debris and mud.

The Guardian

Mr. Wilser said he had seen a man trapped under the debris, moaning in pain.

The New York Times

They had yelled for help from under the debris and were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, he said.

The New York Times

Rescuers who dug out their bodies from under the debris found the child and mother still holding each other.

The New York Times

The rescuers, Mr. Kasim said, start by dispersing the crowd and asking for silence so cries from under the debris can be heard.

The New York Times

Here and in other affected cities the authorities raced to prevent the outbreak of epidemics as bodies stuck under the debris rotted in temperatures above 86 degrees.

The New York Times

"Rescue workers and experts are making the last check to be certain there is nobody alive under the debris," Nadia Lochard, a civil defense official, said Sunday.

The New York Times

"Thirty have already been killed and there are many others under the debris," said Major Donald Hongitan of the Philippine army, who was among the UN troops.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the debris", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause of the debris, such as an earthquake, explosion, or collapse. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the debris" when describing general untidiness or clutter. The phrase specifically implies a scene of significant destruction or ruin, not just a messy room.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the debris" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location or state. It describes something's position relative to scattered remains from destruction, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the debris" is a prepositional phrase indicating location within the remnants of destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in news and media contexts describing events like earthquakes and building collapses. While primarily literal, it can also be used figuratively. Remember to use this phrase when the context involves significant destruction, and not just general messiness. Alternative phrases include "beneath the wreckage" and "covered by the rubble", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the wreckage

Replaces "debris" with "wreckage", focusing on the remains of something destroyed.

below the rubble

Substitutes "debris" with "rubble", emphasizing broken fragments of stone or brick.

covered by the wreckage

Shifts the focus from location to the state of being covered, using "wreckage".

buried in the ruins

Replaces "debris" with "ruins", highlighting the remains of a building or place.

trapped in the remains

Emphasizes the state of being trapped, using "remains" as a more general term.

entombed in the detritus

Replaces "debris" with the more formal "detritus", indicating waste or debris.

concealed by the wreckage

Focuses on the act of concealment, using "wreckage" to describe what hides something.

among the ruins

Indicates a position within the ruins, rather than strictly underneath.

in the shambles

Uses "shambles" to describe a state of total disorder and ruin.

within the rubble

Indicates being located inside or surrounded by the rubble.

FAQs

How is "under the debris" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "under the debris" describes a location where something or someone is buried or trapped following a destructive event, such as "Rescuers searched "under the debris" for survivors after the earthquake."

What are some alternatives to saying "under the debris"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "beneath the wreckage", "covered by the rubble", or "buried in the ruins".

Is it more appropriate to say "in the debris" or "under the debris"?

"Under the debris" suggests being covered or concealed by the wreckage, while "in the debris" implies being surrounded or located within it. The choice depends on the specific image you want to create.

Can "under the debris" be used figuratively, or is it strictly literal?

While primarily literal, "under the debris" can be used figuratively to describe something hidden or obscured by layers of something else, such as "buried under the debris of past mistakes."