undergird

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "undergird" is correct and it is used in written English.
It is used to describe physical or figurative support that is necessary for a structure to stay in place. Example: The country's strong economic fundamentals undergird its impressive growth rate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is one thing, after all, to reinforce the basic infrastructures that undergird the quality of urban life everywhere; quite another to propose saddling India's cities with expensive, untested technology at a time when reliable access to electricity, clean drinking water or safe sanitary facilities remain beyond reach for too many.

The Guardian

But he is said to lack ties and authority with local elites that undergird politics and business in Russia's Far East.Some also wonder who will pay for the upkeep of the high-profile construction projects built ahead of the APEC meeting when Mr Putin's attention moves on.

The Economist

Used raw in combination with chilies, shallots and lime juice in a nuoc cham sauce, they not only complement the other ingredients, but undergird them all.

The Economist

This idea, plus his religiosity, undergird his wider politics.

The Economist

Slowing BRICs, American drones, Yahoo's shares and British veggiesA GAGGLE of charts undergird this week's briefing on the economic slowdown in China and other big emerging economies, compared to the smaller, faster-growing cohort of "frontier economies" that follow in their wake.

The Economist

If the middle-class opposition is serious about confronting the forces that undergird Mr Putin's rule, they argue, it will have to get its hands dirty with the hard grind of real politics.

The Economist

[Cheers, applause.] So what are these revolutionary ideas that make up and undergird the tea-party movement?

The Economist

But the real has finished the year no lower.If interest rates, and the currency they undergird, are to fall as Ms Rousseff wants, she will have to slow the hectic increase in federal spending.

The Economist

Japanese divorce rates, though rising, remain low by Western standards, and the stability of the Japanese family continues to undergird the social system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within that perspective, the values of competition and domination are seen to undergird both the activities of the marketplace and the rational moral theories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cotton, cattle, and petroleum all based on land resources dominated the successive stages in Texas's economic development until the mid-20th century, and they have continued to undergird the state's basic wealth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undergird" when you want to convey the idea of providing fundamental support or reinforcement to something, whether physical or abstract. It is particularly effective when describing the essential elements that make something strong or stable.

Common error

Avoid using "undergird" in contexts where simpler words like "support" or "strengthen" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undergird" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of providing support or a foundation for something. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where it describes how infrastructure, principles, or theories are supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undergird" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb that signifies providing fundamental support or reinforcement. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. While it's a valuable word to use for emphasizing foundational support, remember that simpler synonyms like "support" or "strengthen" may be more appropriate in less formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correctly used in written English, offering example sentences to illustrate its function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underpin

This alternative is a close synonym, emphasizing the foundational support.

support

This alternative is a simpler and more common synonym, focusing on providing assistance or strength.

reinforce

This alternative emphasizes strengthening or fortifying something that already exists.

strengthen

This alternative focuses on making something more robust or resilient.

bolster

This alternative suggests providing additional support to prevent something from failing.

buttress

This alternative implies providing external support or defense.

shore up

This alternative suggests providing temporary support to prevent collapse.

ground

This alternative focuses on providing a solid basis or justification.

provide a foundation for

This alternative is a more explicit way of describing the act of establishing a base.

serve as a basis for

This alternative highlights the role of something as the starting point for further development.

FAQs

How can I use "undergird" in a sentence?

The word "undergird" means to provide support or a basis for something. For example: "Strong ethical principles "undergird" their business practices".

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "undergird"?

"Undergird" means to support something from below, like the foundations of a building. You can also use the synonyms like "support" or "reinforce".

What words are similar to "undergird"?

Similar words include "underpin", "bolster", and "strengthen". These words all convey the idea of providing support or reinforcement.

Is "undergird" a formal word?

Yes, "undergird" is considered a formal word and is often used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.