undulating surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undulating surface" is correct and is used in written English.
It can be used to describe a surface that is not flat, but instead curves or is wavy, like a rolling hill. Example sentence: "The undulating surface of the Riesling vineyard made it difficult to navigate on foot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

— The blue water of Buzzards Bay glittered as boats bobbed on the gently undulating surface and gulls swooped among their sails.

The Washington Post

He couldn't decipher whether this was because of the cross itself — which had a shiny, undulating surface that brought to mind Umberto Boccioni, or the Terminator T-1000 — or the terrible event to which it was to pay tribute.

The New Yorker

The region's undulating surface of broad, low ridges and depressions reflects the faulting and folding of the underlying sedimentary rocks, which in turn have been overlain by windblown deposits that have been fixed by drought-resistant vegetation.

Britannica

With its immense, gently undulating surface reaching back nearly 600 miles (950 km) southward into the heart of Antarctica, the Ross Ice Shelf provides the best surface approach into the continental interior.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The style of these sculptures is marked by an extremely smooth, continuously undulating surface, given strength by a system of clear, broad frontal planes and side recessions related to the foursquare block.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Recently active slides commonly contained patches of ground in which deposition and erosion occurred together near the erosion front, or where cracked bedrock outcrops and coarse colluvial deposits coexisted under a gently undulating surface.

Geomorphology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The streets there are undulating surfaces of Belgian block and curving rails from old freight sidings.

The New York Times

The range of filter values was determined for each of a number of surface features mapped in the field and these included: cracked bedrock outcrops, coarse colluvial deposits, gently undulating surfaces, and smooth surfaces.

Geomorphology

Wooden bikes, native grasses, undulating surfaces, recycled materials, rock-climbing walls: one would be tempted to call all this Bloombergian were it not for the fact that the Mayor doesn't, in aspect or habit, embody its aesthetics, however much he may support the precepts.

The New Yorker

More notably, disconnectivity dominates the gently rolling watershed across all morphologic levels of the uplands, including, microtopography from low energy undulating surfaces across the landscape, swales and gullies only active in the highest events, karst sinkholes that disconnect drainage areas, and floodplains that de-couple the hillslopes from the stream corridor.

Journal of Hydrology

Designboom described the piece as incorporating "undulating surfaces and flowing volumes converge, constantly redefining the quality and experience of each exhibition space, while guiding movement throughout".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undulating surface" to vividly describe landscapes, textures, or forms that possess a flowing, wave-like quality. It's particularly effective when conveying a sense of movement or gentle variation.

Common error

Avoid using "undulating surface" excessively in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terms like "sinusoidal variation" or "periodic roughness" might be more appropriate. Choose vocabulary that aligns with the specific context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undulating surface" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively portrays a surface characterized by waves or curves. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts, from describing bodies of water to landscapes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undulating surface" is a grammatically sound and relatively common descriptive term used to portray a surface with a wave-like or rolling quality. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and demonstrates its usage across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it is best employed when aiming to create a vivid and descriptive image. The phrase finds its home most often in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Remember to use "undulating surface" to bring a sense of flowing variation to your descriptions, and avoid overuse in hyper-technical writing where more specific terminology might be required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavelike pattern

Emphasizes the repeating nature of the curves on the surface.

wavy texture

Focuses on the texture of the surface rather than its overall form.

rippled expanse

Suggests a broad surface with a pattern of small waves.

rolling terrain

Highlights the continuous, gentle slopes of the land.

corrugated texture

Emphasizes a regular, folded pattern on the surface.

uneven plane

Indicates a surface that deviates from being perfectly flat.

serpentine form

Suggests a surface that twists and curves like a snake.

contoured form

Focuses on the three-dimensional shape and its curves.

ridged facade

Highlights a surface with raised lines or edges.

billowing shape

Implies a surface that is curved and inflated, like a sail in the wind.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "undulating surface" in a sentence?

Use "undulating surface" to describe a surface that has a wavy or rolling form, such as "The sun reflected beautifully on the "undulating surface" of the lake" or "The landscape was characterized by an "undulating surface" of rolling hills".

What are some synonyms for "undulating surface"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "wavy texture", "rolling terrain", or "rippled expanse" to describe a surface that is not flat. Each term offers a slightly different nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "undulating surface" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "undulating surface" when describing landscapes, textures, or forms that have a flowing, wave-like character. It works well in creative writing, descriptive passages, and even technical descriptions where the visual aspect is important.

What's the difference between "undulating surface" and "uneven surface"?

"Undulating surface" specifically implies a wave-like, rolling quality, whereas "uneven surface" simply indicates that the surface is not flat and may have irregular bumps, dips, or inconsistencies without a clear pattern.