Beyond and Behind
2020-08-29
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1Today we answer a question from Ahmed in Egypt. He writes:
2I would like to know the exact meaning of beyond and its uses and the difference between it and behind. Thanks in advance.
3Dear Ahmed,
4Thank you for writing. While the words "beyond" and "behind" are similar, there are important differences between them.
5"Beyond" can be an adverb - a word that changes the meaning of a verb, or a preposition, a word that shows location.
6As an adverb, it means at a further distance, as in this example:
7From my window, I can see the city lights and the mountains beyond.
8It can also mean to or until a later time, or in the future, as in this sentence:
9People need to know math through their school years and beyond.
10In the "Toy Story" movies, the astronaut Buzz Lightyear has a favorite saying,
11To infinity and beyond!
12That expression means he is willing to go very far in exploring space.
13As a preposition, you can use "beyond" to talk about a place or location at a greater distance than when using the word "behind."
14There was a dog barking behind the fence, and beyond him two children were playing.
15"Behind" can be used an adverb, preposition, or noun.
16As an adverb, it means in or toward the back of something.
17For example, you may have seen a family of ducks walking in a line:
18The mother duck came first, with the baby ducks following behind.
19But note that you could not use "beyond" in that sentence.
20Another use of "behind" is when describing something that is not happening on time.
21During the pandemic, many people got behind on their rent.
22That is, the rent payments were arriving late.
23You probably are familiar with the use of "behind" as a preposition, meaning at the back or rear of something.
24But it can also mean in the past, as in these examples:
25After winning the lottery, her financial problems were all behind her.
26Your old clothes are just behind the times.
27Now, let me test your understanding of "behind" and "beyond" in a quiz.
28Choose the right words to complete this sentence:
29Mail deliveries usually fall ______ around the winter holidays, but they improve ______ the new year.
30Are you ready? If you chose "behind" for the first blank and "beyond" for the second blank, you know the difference.
31I hope that helps to answer your question, Ahmed.
32What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
33And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
34I'm Jill Robbins.
1Today we answer a question from Ahmed in Egypt. He writes: 2Question: 3I would like to know the exact meaning of beyond and its uses and the difference between it and behind. Thanks in advance. 4-- Ahmed, Egypt. 5Answer: 6Dear Ahmed, 7Thank you for writing. While the words "beyond" and "behind" are similar, there are important differences between them. 8Beyond 9"Beyond" can be an adverb - a word that changes the meaning of a verb, or a preposition, a word that shows location. As an adverb, it means at a further distance, as in this example: 10From my window, I can see the city lights and the mountains beyond. 11It can also mean to or until a later time, or in the future, as in this sentence: 12People need to know math through their school years and beyond. 13In the "Toy Story" movies, the astronaut Buzz Lightyear has a favorite saying, 14To infinity and beyond! 15That expression means he is willing to go very far in exploring space. 16As a preposition, you can use "beyond" to talk about a place or location at a greater distance than when using the word "behind." 17There was a dog barking behind the fence, and beyond him two children were playing. 18Behind 19"Behind" can be used an adverb, preposition, or noun. As an adverb, it means in or toward the back of something. For example, you may have seen a family of ducks walking in a line: 20The mother duck came first, with the baby ducks following behind. 21But note that you could not use "beyond" in that sentence. Another use of "behind" is when describing something that is not happening on time. 22During the pandemic, many people got behind on their rent. 23That is, the rent payments were arriving late. You probably are familiar with the use of "behind" as a preposition, meaning at the back or rear of something. But it can also mean in the past, as in these examples: 24After winning the lottery, her financial problems were all behind her. 25Your old clothes are just behind the times. 26Now, let me test your understanding of "behind" and "beyond" in a quiz. Choose the right words to complete this sentence: 27Mail deliveries usually fall ______ around the winter holidays, but they improve ______ the new year. 28Are you ready? If you chose "behind" for the first blank and "beyond" for the second blank, you know the difference. 29Your questions 30I hope that helps to answer your question, Ahmed. 31What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 32And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 33I'm Jill Robbins. 34Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 35_________________________________________________________________ 36Words in This Story 37bark - v. of a dog. to make a short loud sound 38rent - adj. related to or involving payments for the use of something 39lottery - n. way of raising money for a government or group in which many tickets are sold and a few of the tickets are chosen by chance to win prizes 40ticket - n. a piece of paper that gives the holder a right, especially to enter a place, travel, or take part in an event. 41quiz - n. a test of knowledge 42delivery - n. the act of taking something to a person or place 43Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.