underpinnings

IPA/ˈʌn.dəˌpɪn.ɪŋ/
KK[ˈʌndɚpˌɪnɪŋz]IPA/ˈʌn.dɚˌpɪn.ɪŋ/

underpinnings — 名詞

  • underpinningssingular
  • underpinningsesplural

1. The parts underneath something that hold it up and give it strength — beams and

1.名詞B2
釋義

根基；基礎

事物底層的支撐結構或思想根基

The parts underneath something that hold it up and give it strength — beams and concrete for a bridge, or reasons and evidence for a claim.

例句

Eitan inspected the concrete underpinnings of the old bridge before the storm arrived.

Eitan 在暴風雨來臨前檢查了舊橋的混凝土根基。

collocation: concrete underpinnings of [structure]

The underpinnings of the temple had cracked after centuries of earthquakes and floods.

經歷數百年地震與洪水後，寺廟的根基已經破裂。

figurative-literal blend: underpinnings of [ancient building]

常見搭配
  • theoretical underpinnings
  • philosophical underpinnings
  • intellectual underpinnings
  • legal underpinnings
  • economic underpinnings
  • challenge the underpinnings
  • undermine the underpinnings
同義詞
  • foundations

    more common and broader; used for buildings, institutions, and ideas

  • basis

    mostly abstract; you would not say 'the basis of a bridge'

  • groundwork

    refers to preparatory effort, not a static supporting structure

  • substructure

    technical engineering term; always physical, never figurative

反義詞

文法句型

underpinnings + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form. The thing being supported follows 'of' — the underpinnings of a building, the underpinnings of an argument. Applies to both physical structures and abstract ideas.

常見錯誤

The underpinning of his theory is weak.
The underpinnings of his theory are weak.
This noun is nearly always plural, just like 'foundations' when referring to the base of something.

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • the very underpinnings of

介系詞搭配

  • underpinnings of