[General] Underwater vs inwater

[DITB]

Why is it called

underwater
under water
under the water

for something that is IN the water?

Shouldn't it have been

inwater
in water
in the water

Under the air is the water
Between the air and the water is the (water) surface
Under the air is the water (well, some times)

But under the water, is the seabed.

So if you say something is "under water", it should be in the seabed (or under whatever is under the water, like the tiles and ground under a swimming pool)

My next question would be [Deleted by moderator. Please post only one question per thread.]

Thank you

 

[emsr2d2]

Welcome to the forum. :hi:

"underwater" is defined as "beneath the surface of the water".

 

[GoesStation]

When there is water above you, you are under water. This is true whether or not there is water below you.

 

[Tdol]

If you are in the water, your head could be above the water.

 

[Tarheel]

One more thing. You need to say Shouldn't it be and not Shouldn't it have been.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It doesn't have to make sense. It's English.

 

[probus]

We use the single word underwater as an adjective to describle some things that occur or exist in water, for example underwater photography. Or we would say that scuba diving is an underwater activity. Otherwise the phrase "under water' is used. For example, it is very difficult to hear people when you are under water.

And figuratively if you owe more on your car or house than it is worth you are under water, not underwater.

 

[Rover_KE]

Note that 'inwater' does not exist in standard English.

 

[Rover_KE]

jessichart, please read this extract from the forum's Posting Guidelines:

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