Meaning & use
under
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Meanings
preposition
In or to a position directly below something else.
Grammar: Used before a noun or pronoun to show position: under the table.
Patterns
- under something
- under someone
The cat is hiding under the bed.
She put the letter under the pillow.
The boat passed under the bridge.
preposition
Less than a particular number, age, or amount.
Grammar: Used before a number or amount: under five dollars.
Patterns
- under + number
- under + age
Children under twelve get in free.
The temperature stayed under zero all night.
You can buy a good meal for under ten dollars.
preposition
In a particular state or condition, especially one of difficulty or control.
Grammar: Used in fixed phrases like under pressure, under construction.
Patterns
- under pressure
- under construction
- under control
The bridge is under construction.
She was under a lot of pressure at work.
The fire is now under control.
adverb
Below a particular level or surface.
Grammar: Used without a following noun: the boat went under.
Patterns
- go under
- stay under
The submarine went under.
He held his breath and stayed under for a minute.
Common combinations
- under pressure
- He works well under pressure.
- under construction
- The new road is still under construction.
- under control
- The situation is finally under control.
- under age
- You cannot buy alcohol if you are under age.
- under the weather
- I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.
Synonyms and how they differ
- below
- Below is similar but often suggests a position lower than something, not necessarily directly underneath; under is more common for direct covering.
- beneath
- Beneath is more formal or literary than under.
- less than
- Less than is used for numbers and amounts; under is more common in everyday speech.
Opposites
Word family
- underneath preposition
- Directly under or below.
- underground adjective
- Below the surface of the ground.
- underwater adjective
- Below the surface of the water.
Commonly confused: under or below?
under vs below
Below means lower than something, but not necessarily directly underneath. Under often implies one thing covers another.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Under is a preposition that takes a noun directly: under the table. The other options have incorrect grammar.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “under”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.