Underlying

How it is used

Common in discussions: underlying causes, underlying mechanisms, underlying assumptions, underlying factors. Researchers try to uncover what lies beneath an observed pattern. The verb underlie is also used: 'Several factors underlie this trend.'

Example sentences

1. More research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

2. The underlying assumption of the model is that learners act rationally.

Common collocations

• underlying mechanism
• underlying cause
• underlying assumption
• underlying factors

Related terms

• assumptionSomething accepted as true without being proved, which a theory, method or statistical test depends on.
• factorOne of the things that influences a situation or result, such as income, motivation or class size.
• phenomenonA fact, event or situation that can be observed and studied, especially one that researchers want to explain.
• theoretical frameworkThe theory or set of connected theories that a study uses to explain its problem, shape its questions and interpret its findings.

More terms: Academic Vocabulary

• indicate
• e.g.
• i.e.
• concept
• approach
• implication
• demonstrate
• furthermore
• comprise
• respectively
• however
• therefore