underpinning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "underpinning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the underlying or hidden foundation of something, such as the theoretical basis for a policy or the foundation of a building. For example, "The study revealed the underlying societal tensions that underpinned the unrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Underpinning all of this is our radical programme of investment in infrastructure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Underpinning the book is a subtext: a love-letter to Latvia, its people, culture and traditions.

The Guardian - Books

Underpinning these two great paintings lay Brown's abiding interest in the underdog.

The Guardian - Arts

The president highlighted the significance of Europe in underpinning the Anglo-Irish reconciliation as he quoted Tom Kettle, the Irish nationalist MP and poet who wrote of the Anglo-Irish destiny in Europe before his death on the western front in 1916.

The Guardian

Societal attitudes need to change in order to minimise the stigma underpinning sex work and consequently reduce the harm that prejudice has on sex workers.

The Guardian

Underpinning their success were talented production teams, supported by dedicated staff throughout the BBC.

The Guardian

All of the charities I have worked for have admirable principles underpinning their work – youth voice, democratic decision-making, dialogue, agency, reflection.

The Guardian

The decision to award Qatar the 2022 tournament in December 2010 was hugely controversial, prompting an avalanche of allegations about the way it won the bid and concerns about the searing heat in which it would be played and the treatment of migrant workers building the infrastructure underpinning it.

The Guardian

Underpinning all these "problems" is a tender and heartfelt love story between the two protagonists, Tar and Gemma.

The Guardian

All the main policy planks underpinning the Saudi relationship are, more or less, under challenge.

The Guardian

The paper, which they continue to defend despite admitting mistakes, came under scrutiny after the pair released the spreadsheet calculations underpinning their model to rival academics at Massachusetts University.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underpinning" to refer to the foundational elements, theories, or principles that support a system, argument, or structure. For example, 'The research provides the underpinning for the new policy.'

Common error

Avoid confusing "underpinning", which means supporting, with "undermining", which means weakening or damaging. For example, 'The scandal is undermining public trust', not 'underpinning'.

Linguistic Context

The word "underpinning" functions as a noun or gerund, referring to the support, basis, or foundation upon which something rests. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and is frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underpinning" serves as a crucial term to describe the foundational support or justification for various concepts, systems, or arguments. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, business, and academic fields. It's essential to avoid confusing it with "undermining". When writing, use "underpinning" to accurately convey the foundational elements supporting your subject matter. Semantically related phrases include "supporting framework", "fundamental basis", and "essential support".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic foundation

Focuses on the foundational elements that provide stability and support.

fundamental basis

Highlights the core principles or concepts on which something is based.

essential support

Stresses the necessity of the support being provided.

supporting framework

Emphasizes the structural aspect of providing support.

underlying rationale

Highlights the reasoning behind something, often less obvious.

supporting evidence

Focuses on the data or facts that confirm or justify a claim.

core justification

Centers on the reasons or evidence that validate something.

the rationale

Refers to the set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief.

the principles

Denotes a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.

groundwork

Implies preparatory work that establishes a foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "underpinning" in a sentence?

Use "underpinning" to describe the foundation or support system of something, as in, "The study provides the theoretical "underpinning" for the new policy".

What are some alternatives to using "underpinning"?

You can use alternatives like "foundation", "basis", or "support" depending on the context. For example, "The research forms the "foundation" of our argument".

Is it correct to say "underpinning of" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "underpinning of" is commonly used to indicate what provides support or a basis for something else. For example, "the moral "underpinning" of society".

What's the difference between "underpinning" and "underscoring"?

"Underpinning" refers to providing a foundation or support, while "underscoring" means emphasizing or highlighting something. Although semantically related, they are not interchangeable. For example, evidence "underpinning" a theory versus evidence "underscoring" its importance.