underneath the facade of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underneath the facade of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hidden or not immediately visible, often referring to a deeper truth or reality that contrasts with an outward appearance. Example: "Underneath the facade of confidence, she was struggling with self-doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As he said, "Underneath the facade of promise is all the frustration.

The New York Times - Arts

But underneath the facade of a unified Iran is a raucous debate over how best to proceed with the country's nuclear ambitions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those words might as well be emblazoned across the foreheads of every member of the government, for underneath the facade of compassionate conservatism this appears to be what many on the front bench genuinely believe Imagine the reaction of the Conservative Party if someone committed benefit fraud on the scale of former Take That star Gary Barlow's recently reported tax avoidance.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's all good for the facade of the country".

The New York Times

For the same reason the facade of the Assembly Bldg.

The New Yorker

He was also responsible for the facade of Hampton Court Palace.

The Guardian - Tech

The facade of her house has been re-plastered.

BBC

Dana Thomas' book, Deluxe claws at — but can probably never rip off — the facade of luxury houses.

TechCrunch

It indicates the facade of the media.

Huffington Post

The facade of this corner building features three oriel windows.

Wikipedia

Overunder created a new facade within the facade of this building and a tribute to a local resident, Dennis Livingston.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underneath the facade of" to reveal a hidden or contrasting truth behind an outward appearance. It adds depth and complexity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "underneath the facade of" when referring to literal, physical locations. This phrase is best suited for abstract concepts and appearances, not geographical or structural contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underneath the facade of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a clause that reveals what is concealed or obscured by an outward appearance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underneath the facade of" serves to reveal hidden truths or contrasting realities obscured by outward appearances. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While suitable for formal and analytical writing, it should not be used for literal physical locations. Alternatives such as "beneath the surface of" or "behind the mask of" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase offers depth and complexity when revealing hidden aspects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the surface of

Replaces "underneath" with "beneath" and "facade" with "surface", focusing on the superficial layer.

underlying the appearance of

Focuses on the fundamental reality that exists beneath the surface.

behind the mask of

Uses a more figurative term, "mask", to represent the false appearance.

lurking beneath the guise of

Emphasizes the hidden and potentially negative nature of what lies beneath.

concealed by the veneer of

Highlights the deceptive quality of the outward appearance with words like "concealed" and "veneer".

veiled by the pretense of

Similar to "concealed", but focuses on the act of pretending or feigning.

at the heart of

Shifts the focus from concealment to the core essence of something, though still implying a hidden aspect.

disguised as

Directly states that something is not what it appears to be.

in reality

Offers a stark contrast to the presented facade, highlighting the truth

what's truly happening

Focuses on the authentic, often secret events or circumstances

FAQs

How can I use "underneath the facade of" in a sentence?

Use "underneath the facade of" to introduce a contrasting reality that's hidden by an outward appearance. For example, "Underneath the facade of success, he struggled with constant anxiety."

What is an alternative to "underneath the facade of"?

Alternatives include "beneath the surface of", "behind the mask of", or "lurking beneath the guise of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "underneath the facade of" in formal writing?

Yes, it is suitable for formal writing, especially when analyzing complex situations or characters. However, ensure the context warrants a phrase that implies hidden or deceptive appearances.

What's the difference between "underneath the facade of" and "in reality"?

"Underneath the facade of" implies a hidden truth contrasting with an outward appearance, while "in reality" simply states the actual situation, without necessarily implying deception.