under the water

USAGE SUMMARY

'under the water' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a location either above or under a large body of water, such as a lake, ocean, sea, etc. For example: The little fish swam around joyfully under the water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Under the water.

The New Yorker

"Under the water, Tehue!

The New Yorker

Fish darted under the water.

The New York Times

"Under the water, anything goes..

The Washington Post

Operation Under the Water was under way.

The Guardian

Suddenly she vanished under the water.

The New York Times - Arts

"Hopefully, it's all bridge under the water".

The New Yorker

But the real magic happens under the water.

The Guardian - Travel

"My feet is slowly walking the sand under the water".

The New Yorker

He could hear the hoover under the water.

The New Yorker

And then they found him under the water," Richard says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "under the water", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to something submerged or an activity taking place beneath the surface.

Common error

Avoid using "under the water" when "in the water" or "on the water" would be more appropriate. "Under the water" specifically means beneath the surface, not just within the body of water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the water" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate where an action takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing locations or activities beneath a body of water's surface. The examples provided illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The prepositional phrase "under the water" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is primarily used as an adverbial phrase to pinpoint locations or events that occur beneath the surface of a body of water. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is prevalent in a wide range of sources, from news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to general reference sites like WikiHow. Although versatile, it's important to differentiate its meaning from "in the water", reserving "under the water" for instances where submersion is the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the surface

Uses different terminology to indicate a position below the water's surface.

submerged in water

Emphasizes the act of being completely covered by water.

at the bottom of the water

Specifies a location at the lowest point of a body of water.

in the depths of the water

Implies a greater distance from the surface.

below the waterline

Refers specifically to the part of something that is below the surface of the water.

in the deep

A shorter, more evocative way of indicating far below the surface.

covered by water

Focuses on the water acting as a covering or barrier.

hidden by the water

Highlights the obscuring effect of the water.

drowned in water

Conveys the idea of total submersion and potential danger.

immersed in the water

Highlights the complete involvement or surrounding by water.

FAQs

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

You can use "under the water" to describe objects, activities, or locations that are beneath the surface of a body of water. For example: "The fish swam gracefully "under the water"."

What's the difference between "under the water" and "in the water"?

"Under the water" specifies something is beneath the surface, while "in the water" simply indicates something is within the body of water, regardless of depth. A boat, for example, is "in the water", but a shipwreck is "under the water".

What can I say instead of "under the water"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "beneath the surface", "submerged in water", or "at the bottom of the water". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance.

Is "under the water" grammatically correct?

Yes, "under the water" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that is commonly used in English.