under whose surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under whose surface" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is hidden or not immediately visible beneath the exterior of an object or concept. Example: "The ocean is a vast expanse, under whose surface lies a world teeming with life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This sarcastic picture of the Scandinavian bourgeoisie suggests a photo-negative image of a cheery Abba anthem under whose surface roil anger, shame and frustration.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Petrological techniques showed that salts leached out of the cement under the roof onto the stone cornice whose surface had been coated with synthetic resins.

Construction and Building Materials

All the films studied were deposited on Si substrate, whose surface roughness is below 8 Å under AFM. Figure 3 presents the surface roughness, measured by ellipsometry, for three dielectrics commonly employed in nanofabrication [13].

Nanoscale Research Letters

You rarely met a girl whose surface did not bug you.

The New York Times - Arts

After the CdS/CdSe/ZnS decoration process is completed, the QD-sensitized arrays of titania nanorods whose surface was covered by flower blossom-like formations blossom-like formation were post-annealed at 450°C for 1 h under ambient air condition.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Graphite electrodes, whose surface is partially covered with metal oxides, are prepared by the electrochemical deposition of MoOx, WOx, and SnO2 particles, and their corrosion behaviors under the imposed electrochemical potential conditions are investigated.

Carbon

The program is able to calculate rasters whose surface consists of plane and/or cylindrical surfaces.

World Renewable Energy Congress VI Renewables: The Energy for the 21st Century World Renewable Energy Congress VI 1–7 July 2000 Brighton, UK

As directed (expertly) by Simon Godwin on a Tom Pye set whose surfaces tell you everything you need to know about the culture under scrutiny, "NSFW" doesn't dig especially deep.

The New York Times - Arts

The tribological behavior of carbon epoxy composites whose surfaces have many small grooves were compared with respect to the coating method under dry sliding and water lubricating conditions.

Composite Structures

The tribological behavior of carbon epoxy composites whose surfaces have many small grooves of 100 μm width were compared with respect to plasma treatment duration under dry sliding conditions.

Composite Structures

In 1933 Hepworth married (her second husband; the first was the sculptor John Skeaping) the English abstract painter Ben Nicholson, under whose influence she began to make severe, geometric pieces with straight edges and immaculate surfaces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under whose surface", ensure the connection between the surface and the hidden element is clear and relevant to your overall meaning. This phrase works best when you want to emphasize the contrast between what is apparent and what is concealed.

Common error

Avoid using "under whose surface" in situations where a more direct preposition like "beneath" or "below" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Choose simpler options when the nuance of hidden meaning isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under whose surface" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or clause by indicating a hidden or underlying aspect. As Ludwig indicates, it's grammatically correct and can be used to describe something concealed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under whose surface" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a hidden or underlying element. Ludwig confirms its validity, showing its usage in various contexts. While not extremely common, it's suitable for formal writing and analysis, particularly when emphasizing a contrast between the visible and the concealed. When writing, be mindful of choosing the simplest and most direct preposition, as overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. It is most often found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Encyclopedias".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the facade of which

Replaces "under whose surface" with a more metaphorical expression referring to a deceptive appearance.

below the veneer of which

Similar to "beneath the facade", this focuses on a superficial layer hiding something else.

lurking beneath the exterior of which

Emphasizes a hidden and potentially negative aspect.

veiled by the appearance of which

Suggests that something is concealed or obscured.

hidden within the depths of which

Highlights the obscurity and profundity of what's concealed.

masked by the countenance of which

Draws focus to something hidden by an expressive facial appearance.

under the auspices of whom

Shifts the focus to authority or sponsorship rather than physical surface.

with whose approval

Emphasizes the approval or authorization behind an action or situation.

by whose permission

Similar to 'with whose approval', this emphasizes the granting of consent.

subject to whose influence

Focuses on the power or control exerted by someone.

FAQs

How can I use "under whose surface" in a sentence?

Use "under whose surface" to describe something concealed or not immediately obvious beneath a visible exterior. For example, "The city seemed peaceful, "under whose surface" tensions were simmering."

What are some alternatives to "under whose surface"?

Alternatives include "beneath which", "below which", or phrases like "lurking beneath the exterior of which", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "under whose surface" formal or informal?

"Under whose surface" leans towards formal usage due to its complex structure and relative infrequency in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "under whose surface" and "beneath the surface"?

"Under whose surface" specifies a possessive relationship (surface belonging to someone/something), while "beneath the surface" is a more general term referring to anything hidden or not immediately apparent.