Are you looking for a way to say that something lacks depth?
Perhaps you’re concerned that “surface level” is not good enough or is too rude to use in your writing.
Whatever the case, this article is here for you!
We’ll teach you how to say “surface level” professionally and conversationally.
Other Ways to Say “Surface Level”
- Superficial
- Shallow
- External
- Skin-deep
- Peripheral
- Basic
- Obvious
- Tangential
- Apparent
- Visible
- On the surface
- Literal
- Clear-cut
- Simple
- Plain
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Surface level” is a great way to show that something lacks depth and has little purpose or meaning.
- “Superficial” works well as a formal synonym to showcase the lack of depth in an item or person.
- “Shallow” is useful as a more informal alternative if that matches the tone of your writing.
Keep reading to learn a better way to say “surface level.” We’ve touched on the best formal and informal alternatives to give you a better idea of what’s going to work.
You can also read the final heading to learn if “surface level” is correct. So, feel free to skip ahead if you think this applies more to you right now!
Superficial (Formal)
Try using “superficial” as another way to say “surface level.”
This is an excellent way to show that something is only skin-deep and doesn’t have much depth to it.
It doesn’t just have to apply to people, either.
For instance, you can use it when talking about a job opportunity.
If a job offer looks really positive, but then some digging shows that it has no career progression or salary improvements, you can call it “superficial.”
So, you might want to use something like this when contacting a recruiter. It’s a great way to ask for further details about a job before you settle on any final decisions.
Here’s a helpful email sample to show you more if you’re still confused:
Dear Miss Headcorn,
I just want to confirm this offer isn’t superficial.
Could you please give me a list of the perks that come with it?
Thank you so much,
Harriet Bedford
You can also use it in academic writing. Generally, the term refers to anything that only has one layer (the surface). So, it’s a good way to show your disapproval of something.
Check out this sample to learn a bit more:
This is a superficial finding, to say the least. More research must be carried out before I can finalize anything.
Shallow (Informal)
When someone is on a surface level, you can call them “shallow.” It’s an informal synonym that suggests someone doesn’t have a lot going for them or doesn’t have much below the surface.
It’s a great way to describe someone who pretends to be something they’re not.
If they lack depth, this term works well.
However, if someone hears you calling them shallow, they will be offended. You really should be careful when using a term like this to describe others.
Nevertheless, it’s good to use when writing to a coworker. You may want to include it to talk about a client you don’t trust or get along with.
So, check out this example to learn a bit more:
Hey Darren,
I find that client so shallow.
I can’t seem to get anything positive out of them, but I’ll keep working on it.
Best wishes,
Dara Brien
You can also use it when texting friends. It’s a simple descriptive word that suggests you don’t think someone has much going on beyond the surface level.
This text message sample will also help you to understand it:
He’s quite shallow, I think. I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy, but I just can’t get much out of him.
Is It Correct to Say “Surface Level”?
It is correct to say “surface level.”
The phrase is a great way to show that someone or something lacks any depth.
You can review this example to learn how to use “surface level” in a sentence:
Unfortunately, I don’t see anything beyond the surface level. It’s a shame, really. They could have been something special.
Before using it, though, you need to understand the hyphen rules!
You do not need to hyphenate “surface level” when it’s used on its own.
- Correct: This is at a surface level
- Incorrect: This is at a surface-level
It’s also good to review these extensions to see what else you can use in your writing:
- Below surface level
- Beyond surface level
Back to the hyphen rules, though! You should hyphenate “surface level” when it’s used to modify another noun.
For example:
- Surface-level understanding
- Surface-level conversation
- Surface-level thinking
- Surface-level person
If something comes after “surface-level,” it’s best to include the hyphen.
So, bookmark this page to remind yourself of the best synonyms for “surface level.” Then, you can always come back here when you need to mix things up further!