underlying tension between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying tension between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental or hidden conflict or strain that exists between two or more parties, concepts, or ideas. Example: "The underlying tension between the two departments has led to a lack of collaboration on projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

But their formal understatement heightens the underlying tension between a viewer's inner and outer worlds.

The New York Times

The underlying tension between master and protege keeps the pages turning, though Peppiatt's prose seldom quickens the pace.

The Guardian - Books

We speculate that the controversy surrounding utilitarian moral philosophy reflects an underlying tension between competing subsystems in the brain.

Harvard University

The near-hysterical reaction to this incident is clearly meant to demonstrate the underlying tension between Palestine's Jewish and Arab communities.

The Guardian - Film

First, it was difficult for the sites to navigate the underlying tension between using evaluation information for professional improvement and using it for high-stakes decisions.

The Washington Post

Ms. Fliter emphasized the underlying tension between dramatic elements, stretching out the slower passages of the opening section before plunging into the turbulent Allegro.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But underlying tensions between various public offices have come to the surface.

The Guardian

The CBS interview also brought to the fore some of the underlying tensions between Trump and Kerry on foreign policy.

The Washington Post

Underlying tensions between Mr. Fayyad and Mr. Abbas burst out in early March when the finance minister, Nabil Qassis, announced that he was quitting.

The New York Times

The underlying tensions between the US and its supposed ally Turkey have once again surfaced after a visit by President Obama's special envoy, Brett McGurk, to the Kurdish PYD (Democratic Union Party) in Kobane in northern Syria.

Independent

Civil as relations between Pulis and Cartwright might have appeared to casual observers, there were understood to be underlying tensions between an "old-school manager" instinctivelysuspicious of delegation and a 40-year-old tasked with identifying and recruiting competitively priced talent from far-flung corners of the world.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying tension between" to highlight a subtle but significant conflict or disagreement that is not immediately obvious. This phrase is effective in analyzing complex relationships or situations.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying tension between" when the conflict is overt or already well-known. This phrase is most effective when revealing a less obvious or previously unacknowledged source of strain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying tension between" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a nuanced conflict or strain. It indicates a hidden or fundamental disagreement influencing the relationship or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying tension between" is a useful tool for exposing hidden conflicts or strains that influence relationships and situations. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and general applicability of this phrase, showcasing its use in diverse contexts, from news reports to academic analyses. Alternatives such as "latent conflict between" and "inherent friction between" offer similar meanings, but "underlying tension between" is best used when identifying a subtle, yet important, source of strain. It's important not to use it when a conflict is already overt. The most frequent use case for the analyzed phrase is in the News & Media category. The phrase is most authoritative in the news media as frequently used by The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latent conflict between

Replaces "tension" with "conflict" and "underlying" with "latent", emphasizing the hidden and potential nature of the disagreement.

fundamental discord between

Substitutes "tension" with "discord" highlighting a lack of harmony and replaces "underlying" with "fundamental", pointing to the root cause of the issue.

inherent friction between

Replaces "tension" with "friction", suggesting resistance or conflict arising naturally between the entities involved and uses "inherent" instead of "underlying".

basic antagonism between

Uses "antagonism" instead of "tension", indicating active hostility or opposition, and "basic" instead of "underlying", suggesting a foundational conflict.

subtle friction between

Emphasizes the low visibility or difficulty to notice of the "friction", while retaining the indication of a conflict between entities.

unresolved dispute between

Focuses on a disagreement that hasn't been settled, implying continued conflict between the parties.

suppressed animosity between

Highlights a feeling of strong dislike or hatred that is being kept under control, suggesting a volatile situation.

concealed struggle between

Emphasizes that the conflict is hidden from plain sight, and changes tension to "struggle".

smoldering resentment between

Indicates a persistent feeling of bitterness that is not openly expressed, but could erupt at any time, replacing "tension" with "resentment" and "underlying" with "smoldering".

unacknowledged conflict between

Highlights that the conflict is not being recognized or admitted, emphasizing denial or avoidance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "underlying tension between" in a sentence?

Use "underlying tension between" to introduce a subtle or not immediately apparent conflict. For instance, "The underlying tension between the departments hindered collaboration" reveals a hidden issue affecting teamwork.

What are some alternatives to "underlying tension between"?

Consider using alternatives like "latent conflict between", "fundamental discord between", or "inherent friction between" to vary your language and emphasize different aspects of the conflict.

Is there a difference between "underlying tension between" and "obvious conflict between"?

"Underlying tension between" suggests a subtle or hidden conflict that is not immediately apparent, while "obvious conflict between" indicates a clear and easily noticeable disagreement. The former requires a deeper analysis to uncover, while the latter is self-evident.

What is the difference between "underlying tension between" and "underlying tensions"?

"Underlying tension between" refers to the strain existing specifically between two or more defined entities. "Underlying tensions" more broadly refers to general strains or pressures that may not be explicitly linked to a specific relationship.