On the surface, all things were as they should be.

On the surface, we had a great deal in common.

He'd spent most of his time out on the surface.

I thought you would all be living on the surface by now.

Not the best time for a walk on the surface.

What's more, you only have a couple of minutes to go and then you'll be back on the surface again.

He'd be all right so long as he kept everything on the surface, though.

You'd be much more at home up on the surface.

They have to get into position on the surface, remember.

As a result, he wanted to keep things on the surface.