[Grammar] underlie: passive form

[miwalko]

Hello,
if A underlies B, e.g. Many factors underlie my decision,
what is the correct form of the passive?
a. B is underlain by A - My decision is underlain by many factors.
b. B is underlaid by A - My decision is underlaid by many factors.
or something else?

Dictionaries and spell-checkers suggest the 'a' option but when I used it in a paper, it was criticized for being non-native-like (I am not a native speaker of English). Which is correct? Thanks.

 

[charliedeut]

Hi and welcome, miwalko :hi:

It does sound strange. I would simply say "My decision is based on many factors." It sounds more natural to me.

Greetings,

charliedeut

 

[5jj]

if A underlies B, e.g. Many factors underlie my decision,
what is the correct form of the passive?

'Underlie' is not used in the passive.

 

[miwalko]

Oh, I see now. Thank you very much, it's very helpful!

 

[Tdol]

Dictionaries and spell-checkers suggest the 'a' option but when I used it in a paper, it was criticized for being non-native-like (I am not a native speaker of English).

That's because we don't use it.