under water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under water" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe a situation, an object, or an experience that is submerged in water. For example, "The divers explored the sunken ship under water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

under water.

The New Yorker

We were under water.

The New York Times - Sports

Ultimate Fighting under water!

The New Yorker

Like seaweed under water,.

The New Yorker

I swim under water.

The New York Times - Health

Even under water.

The New York Times

Some tunnels are still under water.

The Economist

Respiration under water presents special problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Our house is under-water too.

Huffington Post

Let's take an under-water world.

WikiHow

Don't under-water or over-water.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical location or state, use "under water" to clearly indicate submersion or being beneath the surface of water.

Common error

Avoid using "under water" literally when you mean to describe a complex or obscured situation. Use more precise language to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under water" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe where something is located or how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is also used adjectivally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under water" is a versatile expression used to describe both literal submersion and figurative states of being overwhelmed, particularly financially. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and adaptable to diverse writing styles. It appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, be mindful of whether you intend the literal or figurative meaning to ensure clarity. When used figuratively, consider alternatives like "in financial distress" or "overwhelmed" for specific nuances. The phrase demonstrates broad applicability and is considered appropriate for neutral and professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submerged

Highlights the state of being completely covered by water.

beneath the surface

Focuses on the physical location below the water's top level.

awash

Describes being covered or saturated with water.

below sea level

Emphasizes the position relative to the average height of the sea.

drowned

Implies being immersed and overwhelmed by water, often with a negative connotation.

in a deluge

Emphasizes the experience of being flooded or overwhelmed by water.

in financial distress

Shifts the context to a metaphorical meaning of being in a difficult financial situation.

in debt

Specifically refers to owing money, relating to the 'financial difficulty' sense of the original phrase.

concealed

Emphasizes being hidden or not easily visible, akin to being covered by water.

out of sight

Highlights the aspect of not being visible, similar to being hidden "under water".

FAQs

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

You can use "under water" to describe something that is literally submerged, such as "The sunken ship was lying "under water"". It can also be used figuratively to describe being in financial difficulty, as in "His business is "under water"".

What is the difference between "under water" and "submerged"?

"Under water" generally refers to being beneath the surface of water, while "submerged" specifically implies being completely covered by water. While often interchangeable, "submerged" emphasizes the completeness of the immersion.

When is it appropriate to use "under water" figuratively?

It is appropriate to use "under water" figuratively when describing a situation of being overwhelmed, especially financially. For example, saying a business is ""under water"" suggests it's heavily in debt or struggling.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of being in financial difficulty, instead of saying something is "under water"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in financial distress", "in debt", or "financially troubled". These phrases offer similar meanings while avoiding the literal image of being submerged.