underpin
underpin — 動詞
- underpinpresent simple I / you / we / they
- underpinshe / she / it
- underpinnedpast simple
- underpinning-ing form
1. to provide the foundation or support that makes an idea, theory, or system stron
支撐；鞏固
為論點、系統等提供基礎
to provide the foundation or support that makes an idea, theory, or system strong and stable.
Stefan's research data underpins the main argument of his thesis.
Stefan 的研究數據支撐了他論文的中心論點。
data + underpins + abstract noun (argument)
Several key principles underpin the design of the new city park.
幾項關鍵原則奠定了新城市公園的設計基礎。
underpins + noun phrase (the design of...)
At the Vienna-based refugee agency, mutual trust underpins every successful cross-border partnership.
在維也納的難民援助機構裡，互信支撐著每一段成功的跨國合作關係。
The supply-and-demand model that underpins trade policy in Kenya has been debated for decades.
支撐肯亞貿易政策的供需模型已引發數十年的辯論。
Finland's teacher-training reforms underpin the country's consistently high education rankings.
芬蘭的師資培訓改革支撐了該國持續優異的教育排名。
- support
more general; can be emotional, physical, or abstract; 'underpin' always implies a foundational role
- substantiate
formal; specifically means to provide evidence for a claim; narrower than 'underpin'
- bolster
suggests strengthening something that already exists; 'underpin' implies providing the base underneath
- reinforce
makes an existing structure stronger; 'underpin' adds a new foundation from below
- undermine
the opposite effect — to weaken from below rather than strengthen
文法句型
underpin + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in academic and formal writing. The subject is usually an abstract noun (theory, trust, principle, evidence, data) and the object is another abstract concept (argument, system, relationship, policy).
常見錯誤
2. to strengthen a wall or building by adding support from underneath.
加固基礎
從下方加固建築物牆壁等
to strengthen a wall or building by adding support from underneath.
Engineers had to underpin the old church wall before digging the basement.
工程師必須加固老教堂的牆壁，才能挖掘地下室。
underpin + physical object (wall)
Workers underpinned the bridge foundations with steel and concrete.
工人用鋼材和混凝土加固了橋樑的地基。
passive: be underpinned with [material]
The house was underpinned after the earthquake damaged its base.
地震損壞地基後，這棟房子從底部進行了加固。
To stop the tower from tilting further, the team must underpin its base.
為了防止高塔繼續傾斜，團隊必須加固它的底座。
The retaining wall was underpinned after heavy rains made the ground unstable.
大雨導致地基不穩後，這道擋土牆從下方進行了加固。
- shore up
phrasal verb; a common alternative for temporary physical support, especially for walls or weak structures
- reinforce
adds strength in general; 'underpin' specifically adds support from beneath
- brace
holds a structure in position; less permanent and less specifically about foundation than 'underpin'
- undermine
to wear away or weaken the base of a structure, opposite of strengthening it from below
文法句型
underpin + physical object (wall, building, foundation)
用法筆記
This is a specialized construction and engineering term. Frequently used in the passive voice. Distinguish from sense 1: here the support is literal and physical, not abstract.