What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
underly
Example
The underly message of the movie was about the importance of family. [underly: adjective]
Example
The success of the project underly on the team's ability to work together. [underly: verb]
underlie
Example
The theory of evolution underlies modern biology. [underlies: verb]
Example
The economic crisis was underlain by a lack of regulation in the financial sector. [underlain: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Underlie is more commonly used than underly in everyday language. Underlie is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while underly is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between underly and underlie?
Underlie is more formal than underly. While underly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, underlie is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
