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B1 preposition, adverb, noun #49 most common 12 min read

behind

Top 49

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips behind in 30 Seconds

Explanation behind in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'behind' is one of the first prepositions of place you will learn. It is used to describe where an object is located in relation to another object. For example, if you are playing hide-and-seek, you might hide 'behind the tree.' In your classroom, the teacher might stand 'behind the desk.' At this level, you should focus on the physical meaning. Think of it as the opposite of 'in front of.' If you can see the front of a house, the garden that you cannot see is usually 'behind' the house. You will also see it in simple sentences about people, like 'The boy is behind the girl in the line.' Remember, you don't need the word 'of' after 'behind.' Just say 'behind the chair,' not 'behind of the chair.' Practice by looking around your room and saying where things are. 'My bag is behind the door.' 'The lamp is behind the computer.' This will help you remember the word easily.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'behind' in more varied ways, including as an adverb. You might hear someone say, 'Wait for me! Don't leave me behind!' In this case, 'behind' means in the place where you were, while others move forward. You also start to use 'behind' for simple time concepts. For example, 'The bus is 5 minutes behind.' This means the bus is late. You might also use it in sports or games: 'Our team is 2 points behind.' This means the other team has 2 more points than you. You are still using the idea of 'back' or 'rear,' but now it applies to time and scores, not just physical objects. It is also common to use it with verbs of movement, like 'walk behind' or 'run behind.' You are expanding your vocabulary to describe not just where things are, but how they are moving or progressing compared to others.

At the B1 level, which is your current level, 'behind' becomes a very useful word for expressing support and explaining the reasons for things. You will use it metaphorically. For instance, 'I am behind you 100%' means you support someone's decision completely. You will also use it to talk about the 'reason behind' something. 'What is the reason behind your decision to move to London?' This is a more sophisticated way of asking 'Why?' than just using the word 'why.' In a professional context, you will frequently use 'behind schedule' to describe projects that are taking longer than planned. You should also be comfortable using 'behind' as an adverb in phrases like 'stay behind' (to remain after others leave) or 'fall behind' (to not keep up with work or studies). This level requires you to understand that 'behind' isn't just about physical space, but also about emotional support, temporal delay, and causal relationships.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'behind' in complex idiomatic expressions and more formal contexts. You will encounter phrases like 'behind the scenes,' which refers to the work that happens out of the public eye. For example, 'A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to make this festival happen.' You will also understand the nuance of 'behind' when discussing historical or social causes: 'The factors behind the economic crisis were complex.' At this level, you can use 'behind' to describe a state of mind or a past experience that is no longer a burden: 'I'm glad that difficult period is finally behind me.' You are expected to use the word fluently in both its literal and figurative senses, and you should be able to distinguish it clearly from similar words like 'after' or 'following' in formal writing. You might also use the noun form 'behind' in very specific, informal contexts, though you know to avoid it in professional settings.

At the C1 level, your use of 'behind' should be precise and varied. You will use it to describe subtle power dynamics or hidden motivations. For example, 'The power behind the throne' is a classic expression for someone who has the real influence even if they aren't the official leader. You will use 'behind' in academic writing to discuss the theory or philosophy that supports a particular viewpoint: 'The ideology behind this movement is rooted in 19th-century thought.' You are also comfortable with more obscure uses, such as 'behind' in the sense of being the source of a particular quality: 'The craftsmanship behind this watch is extraordinary.' Your understanding of the word is deep enough that you can use it to create imagery in creative writing, perhaps using it to describe shadows, secrets, or the passage of time in a more literary way. You rarely make mistakes with its prepositional or adverbial forms, and you can use it to add depth to your analysis of complex topics.

At the C2 level, 'behind' is a tool for absolute precision and stylistic flair. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as legal or technical documents, where it might refer to the intent behind a law or the engineering behind a complex system. You understand the etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved, allowing you to use it in ways that reflect a near-native grasp of English. You might use it in sophisticated rhetorical structures, such as 'The man behind the myth' or 'The logic behind the madness.' Your use of 'behind' as an adverb is seamless, often appearing in complex phrasal structures or as part of an elegant transition between ideas. You are also aware of the rhythmic qualities of the word in poetry or prose. At this level, 'behind' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile instrument that you use to convey subtle shades of meaning, from the most literal physical position to the most abstract philosophical concepts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

behind in 30 Seconds

Behind primarily describes being at the back of an object or person in physical space.
It is commonly used to indicate that a project or person is late or lagging in progress.
Metaphorically, it expresses support for an idea or identifies the hidden cause of an event.
It functions as both a preposition (behind the house) and an adverb (stay behind).

The word behind is a versatile linguistic tool that functions primarily as a preposition and an adverb, though it can also serve as a noun in informal contexts. At its most fundamental level, 'behind' describes a spatial relationship where one object is located at the rear or back of another. Imagine standing in a queue; the person standing at your back is behind you. This physical orientation is the foundation from which all other meanings of the word grow. When we move beyond simple physical space, 'behind' takes on a temporal meaning, often indicating that someone or something is late or has not progressed as quickly as expected. For instance, if a project was supposed to be finished on Tuesday but it is now Thursday, the project is behind schedule. This sense of 'lagging' is crucial for professional and academic communication.

Spatial Orientation: Used to indicate that something is at the back of another object. Example: The keys fell behind the sofa, making them difficult to reach without moving the heavy furniture.
Temporal Delay: Used to indicate that progress is slower than planned. Example: The construction crew is three weeks behind because of the unexpected heavy rainfall in the valley.
Metaphorical Support: Used to show that you agree with or provide backing for a person or an idea. Example: The entire community is behind the new initiative to build a public park in the city center.

Furthermore, 'behind' is used to describe the cause or reason for something. When we ask 'What is behind this decision?', we are looking for the hidden motivations or the underlying factors that led to a specific outcome. This usage is common in investigative journalism and psychological analysis. In sports, 'behind' is used to describe a team that is losing; if Team A has 2 points and Team B has 5, Team A is three points behind. This quantitative gap is a frequent context for the word. Finally, in a very informal sense, 'behind' can refer to a person's buttocks, though this is a polite euphemism compared to more vulgar terms. Understanding these layers—from the physical to the metaphorical—is essential for achieving B1 level proficiency and beyond. People use 'behind' in almost every aspect of life: from giving directions ('The bank is behind the tall building') to expressing emotional solidarity ('I am right behind you in your choice to quit smoking').

The sun disappeared behind the clouds, casting a cool shadow over the entire valley.

I am so far behind on my reading that I might need to skip the book club meeting this month.

The motivation behind her hard work was her desire to provide a better life for her children.

Don't look behind you, but I think someone is following us through the park.

The runner was trailing behind the leader by only a few seconds as they entered the final lap.

Using 'behind' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as either a preposition or an adverb. When functioning as a preposition, 'behind' must be followed by a noun or a pronoun, which acts as the object of the preposition. This object identifies the reference point. For example, in the sentence 'The cat is behind the curtain,' the word 'curtain' is the object. This structure is very common for describing locations. You can also use it to describe time or progress: 'We are behind schedule.' Here, 'schedule' is the object. It is important to note that 'behind' does not usually take the word 'of' after it, unlike 'in front of'. You say 'behind the house,' not 'behind of the house.' This is a frequent error for learners of English who try to mirror the structure of 'in front of'.

As a Preposition: Placed before a noun to show position or relation. Example: She hid the gift behind her back so her brother wouldn't see it before the party started.
As an Adverb: Used without a following noun to describe a state of being at the back or remaining in a place. Example: The rest of the group went hiking, but Sarah stayed behind because she had a headache.
In Phrasal Verbs: Combined with verbs to create new meanings. Example: 'Fall behind' means to fail to keep up with others. 'Leave behind' means to forget something or move on without it.

When 'behind' acts as an adverb, it often appears at the end of a clause or sentence. It describes where an action happened relative to the speaker or a previously mentioned location. For instance, 'The dog followed close behind.' In this case, 'behind' modifies the verb 'followed'. It tells us the position of the dog without needing to repeat 'behind me' or 'behind the person.' Another common adverbial use is in the context of staying in a place after others have left: 'I'll stay behind and lock up the office.' This implies 'behind the others who are leaving.' In more advanced English, you might see 'behind' used to describe past experiences that are no longer affecting someone: 'Now that the trial is behind him, he can finally move on with his life.' This metaphorical use of space to represent time is a hallmark of fluent English usage. It suggests that the event is now 'at the back' of the person's timeline and they are looking forward.

Please make sure you don't leave any of your personal belongings behind when you exit the train.

The reason behind the sudden change in policy remains a mystery to most of the employees.

He was running so fast that the other competitors were left far behind within the first five minutes.

You will encounter 'behind' in a vast array of real-world scenarios, ranging from mundane daily chores to high-stakes professional environments. In a domestic setting, you might hear it when someone is looking for a lost item: 'Did you check behind the microwave?' or 'It might have fallen behind the dresser.' It is a staple of spatial navigation. In the workplace, 'behind' is frequently used in relation to time management and project status. Managers often ask, 'Are we behind on the quarterly reports?' or 'Why is the development team falling behind?' In these contexts, 'behind' is synonymous with being late or unproductive. It carries a sense of urgency and often prompts a need for catching up. In the world of sports broadcasting, 'behind' is used constantly to describe the score or the physical position of athletes. 'The Lakers are ten points behind in the fourth quarter' or 'The cyclist is trailing behind the peloton.' This usage helps listeners visualize the gap between competitors.

In the Office: Used to discuss deadlines and project progress. 'We can't afford to get behind on this client's request.'
In News and Politics: Used to describe support or the cause of events. 'The public is largely behind the new environmental laws.'
In Everyday Conversation: Used for directions and locating objects. 'The parking lot is just behind the grocery store.'

In political discourse, 'behind' is used to describe the backing a candidate or a policy receives. A news anchor might say, 'The senator has the full weight of the party behind her,' meaning she has their complete support. Conversely, it can describe the hidden forces in a situation: 'Who is the mastermind behind this scheme?' This implies that the person is not visible but is controlling the events from a 'back' position. You also hear 'behind' in the context of law and justice, specifically in the phrase 'behind bars,' which is a common idiom for being in prison. For example, 'The thief will spend the next five years behind bars.' This is a very common expression in crime dramas and news reports. In social settings, you might hear someone say they are 'behind' on the latest trends or TV shows, meaning they haven't seen them yet. 'I'm so behind on Stranger Things; don't tell me what happens!' This versatility makes 'behind' one of the most frequently used words in the English language, appearing in both formal reports and casual chats.

The detective spent months trying to figure out who was behind the series of bank robberies.

If you don't start studying now, you're going to fall behind the rest of the class very quickly.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 'behind of' instead of just 'behind.' Because the opposite phrase is 'in front of,' many students assume 'behind' requires 'of' as well. However, 'behind' is a complete preposition on its own. You should say 'The car is behind the bus,' not 'The car is behind of the bus.' Another common area of confusion is the distinction between 'behind' and 'after.' While both can relate to sequence, 'behind' is primarily spatial or progress-related, whereas 'after' is primarily temporal. For example, you would say 'The letter B comes after A,' but 'The person standing behind me in line was very tall.' If you use 'after' when you mean 'behind' in a spatial sense, it can sound like one person is chasing the other. 'He is after me' usually means he is pursuing me, while 'He is behind me' simply means he is at my back.

Behind vs. After: Use 'behind' for physical position and 'after' for time or order. Correct: 'He sat behind me.' Incorrect: 'He sat after me' (unless referring to a sequence of speakers).
Behind vs. Back: 'Back' is often a noun or an adjective, while 'behind' is a preposition. You go to the 'back of the room,' but you stand 'behind the desk.'
Falling Behind vs. Getting Behind: While often interchangeable, 'falling behind' emphasizes the process of losing ground, while 'getting behind' often refers to the state of having too much work to do.

Learners also struggle with the adverbial use of 'behind' when it means 'remaining.' For example, in the sentence 'I left my umbrella behind,' some might try to say 'I left my umbrella in the back.' While 'in the back' is grammatically correct, it doesn't convey the same meaning of 'forgetting' or 'leaving something in a previous location' that 'behind' does. Additionally, the phrase 'behind the scenes' is often misused. It refers to things that happen out of public view, especially in a theater or a large organization. Some learners use it to mean 'secretly' in contexts where it doesn't quite fit. For example, 'They talked behind the scenes' is less common than 'They talked behind closed doors' if you mean they were having a private, secret meeting. Finally, be careful with the noun 'behind.' While it is a polite way to say 'buttocks,' using it in a formal or academic paper would be inappropriate. Stick to its prepositional and adverbial uses in professional writing.

Mistake: The cat is hiding behind of the sofa. Correct: The cat is hiding behind the sofa.

Mistake: I am after schedule. Correct: I am behind schedule.

While 'behind' is a very common word, there are several synonyms and alternatives that can add variety and precision to your English. For physical location, at the back of or to the rear of are excellent formal alternatives. For example, 'The garden is at the back of the house' sounds slightly more descriptive than 'The garden is behind the house.' In a military or nautical context, you might use abaft or astern, though these are very specialized terms. When 'behind' is used to mean 'following' in a sequence, words like subsequent to or simply following can be used, especially in formal writing. For example, 'Following the meeting, we discussed the budget' is clearer than 'Behind the meeting...' which would be incorrect in that context.

Rear / At the back of: More formal ways to describe physical position. 'The exit is located at the rear of the building.'
Lagging / Trailing: Used when someone is behind in a race or in progress. 'The company is lagging behind its competitors in technology.'
Supporting / Backing: Alternatives for the metaphorical sense of 'behind'. 'The CEO is fully backing the new marketing strategy.'

When discussing progress, if you want to sound more professional, you might use delinquent (for payments) or overdue. Instead of saying 'The payment is behind,' you would say 'The payment is overdue' or 'The account is delinquent.' In the context of support, 'backing' or 'endorsing' are strong verbs. 'The community is backing the mayor' is a powerful alternative to 'The community is behind the mayor.' For the sense of being the 'cause' of something, you can use responsible for or the driving force behind. For example, 'She was the driving force behind the project's success' is much more evocative than 'She was behind the project.' Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your language to the specific situation, whether you are writing a formal report, a casual email, or a creative story. Always consider the 'register' or level of formality you need before choosing between 'behind' and its more specific alternatives.

Comparison: 'He is behind the leader' (Simple) vs. 'He is trailing the leader' (More descriptive of movement).

Comparison: 'What's behind this?' (General) vs. 'What is the underlying cause of this?' (Academic/Formal).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The 'hind' part of 'behind' is related to the word 'hind' meaning a female deer, but also to 'hinder', which means to get in the way of something from the back.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɪˈhaɪnd/

US /bəˈhaɪnd/

The stress is on the second syllable: be-HIND.

Rhymes With

find mind kind blind wind (verb) grind remind mankind

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'h' too softly or not at all.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
Making the 'i' sound in 'hind' too short like 'hint'.
Adding an 'of' sound after it (behind-of).
Confusing the 'b' with a 'p' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts due to its common usage.

Writing 3/5

Requires care not to use 'behind of' and to use idiomatic forms correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage in conversation takes practice, especially for support and time.

Listening 2/5

Clearly pronounced in most dialects, though the first syllable varies.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

back front in on under

Learn Next

beyond beneath alongside opposite underneath

Advanced

posterior subsequent consequent underlying backing

Grammar to Know

Prepositions of Place

The cat is behind the chair.

Adverbs of Place

He stayed behind.

Phrasal Verbs

I fell behind in my work.

No 'of' after 'behind'

Correct: Behind the door. Incorrect: Behind of the door.

Metaphorical Space

Put the past behind you.

Examples by Level

The dog is behind the sofa.

Le chien est derrière le canapé.

Preposition of place.

Who is behind the door?

Qui est derrière la porte ?

Used in a question.

The sun is behind the mountain.

Le soleil est derrière la montagne.

Simple spatial relationship.

Stand behind the yellow line.

Tenez-vous derrière la ligne jaune.

Imperative sentence.

My house is behind the school.

Ma maison est derrière l'école.

Describing location.

The cat hides behind the tree.

Le chat se cache derrière l'arbre.

Present simple tense.

Put the box behind the chair.

Mettez la boîte derrière la chaise.

Giving an instruction.

He is behind me in the queue.

Il est derrière moi dans la file d'attente.

Used with a pronoun.

Don't leave your bag behind.

N'oubliez pas votre sac.

Adverbial use meaning 'remaining'.

The train is ten minutes behind.

Le train a dix minutes de retard.

Temporal use meaning 'late'.

We are two goals behind.

Nous avons deux buts de retard.

Used in sports for scores.

She stayed behind to help the teacher.

Elle est restée pour aider le professeur.

Phrasal use 'stay behind'.

The car behind us is driving very fast.

La voiture derrière nous roule très vite.

Relative position.

He fell behind in the race.

Il a pris du retard dans la course.

Phrasal verb 'fall behind'.

Look behind you!

Regarde derrière toi !

Directional adverb.

The garden is behind the garage.

Le jardin est derrière le garage.

Prepositional phrase.

The project is two weeks behind schedule.

Le projet a deux semaines de retard sur le calendrier.

Common collocation 'behind schedule'.

I am completely behind your decision.

Je soutiens totalement votre décision.

Metaphorical use meaning 'supporting'.

What is the reason behind the price increase?

Quelle est la raison de l'augmentation des prix ?

Meaning 'the cause of'.

He left his old life behind and moved to Italy.

Il a laissé sa vieille vie derrière lui et a déménagé en Italie.

Metaphorical use for the past.

The team is behind on their monthly targets.

L'équipe est en retard sur ses objectifs mensuels.

Professional context.

She is the brains behind the whole operation.

C'est elle le cerveau de toute l'opération.

Idiomatic use for 'the person responsible'.

The sun went behind a cloud.

Le soleil est passé derrière un nuage.

Literal spatial use.

Don't get behind with your rent payments.

Ne prenez pas de retard dans le paiement de votre loyer.

Phrasal use 'get behind with'.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes.

Beaucoup de travail se fait en coulisses.

Idiom 'behind the scenes'.

The criminal will spend years behind bars.

Le criminel passera des années derrière les barreaux.

Idiom 'behind bars' (in prison).

The logic behind this theory is quite sound.

La logique derrière cette théorie est tout à fait solide.

Abstract causal use.

He has the full support of the board behind him.

Il a le plein soutien du conseil d'administration.

Metaphorical backing.

The worst of the storm is now behind us.

Le pire de la tempête est maintenant derrière nous.

Temporal metaphor for the past.

She was trailing behind in the polls.

Elle était à la traîne dans les sondages.

Political/statistical context.

What's the story behind that old photograph?

Quelle est l'histoire derrière cette vieille photo ?

Inquiry into origins.

He did it behind my back.

Il l'a fait dans mon dos.

Idiom 'behind someone's back' (secretly).

The underlying motives behind the coup remain unclear.

Les motifs sous-jacents du coup d'État restent flous.

Formal political analysis.

He is the power behind the throne in this company.

C'est lui l'éminence grise de cette entreprise.

Idiom 'power behind the throne'.

The craftsmanship behind the cathedral is breathtaking.

Le savoir-faire derrière la cathédrale est époustouflant.

Describing the source of quality.

We must leave no stone unturned in finding the truth behind the scandal.

Nous ne devons rien négliger pour découvrir la vérité derrière le scandale.

Investigative context.

The economic rationale behind the merger was questioned by experts.

La logique économique derrière la fusion a été remise en question par les experts.

Academic/Business usage.

She has a formidable team behind her.

Elle a une équipe redoutable derrière elle.

Describing collective support.

The technology behind the new engine is revolutionary.

La technologie derrière le nouveau moteur est révolutionnaire.

Technical explanation.

His personal life was left behind in the pursuit of fame.

Sa vie personnelle a été délaissée dans la poursuite de la célébrité.

Passive construction with 'leave behind'.

The sheer audacity behind the plan was what made it succeed.

C'est l'audace pure derrière le plan qui l'a fait réussir.

Abstract noun phrase.

One cannot ignore the historical baggage behind such a statement.

On ne peut ignorer le bagage historique derrière une telle déclaration.

Nuanced cultural analysis.

The philosophical impetus behind his work is often misunderstood.

L'élan philosophique derrière son œuvre est souvent mal compris.

High-level academic discourse.

The intricate web of lies behind the conspiracy was finally unraveled.

Le réseau complexe de mensonges derrière la conspiration a finalement été dénoué.

Metaphorical complexity.

The driving force behind the social reform was a grassroots movement.

La force motrice derrière la réforme sociale était un mouvement populaire.

Sociopolitical analysis.

He left a trail of destruction behind him.

Il a laissé une traînée de destruction derrière lui.

Literary imagery.

The genius behind the symphony was evident from the first note.

Le génie derrière la symphonie était évident dès la première note.

Artistic appreciation.

The legislative intent behind the amendment is still being debated.

L'intention législative derrière l'amendement est toujours en débat.

Legal/Technical precision.

Common Collocations

behind schedule

fall behind

leave behind

stay behind

behind the scenes

behind bars

behind the wheel

behind closed doors

get behind

left behind

Common Phrases

Behind the times

— Using old-fashioned ideas or technology.

That company is a bit behind the times.

Behind someone's back

— Doing something without someone's knowledge, often in a mean way.

They were talking about her behind her back.

Behind the eight ball

— In a difficult or disadvantageous situation.

We're really behind the eight ball on this project.

Put something behind you

— To stop worrying about a bad experience and move on.

You need to put that mistake behind you.

Behind the curve

— Slower than others in reacting to a new trend.

The government was behind the curve on the housing crisis.

One step behind

— Always slightly slower or less informed than someone else.

I always feel one step behind my brother.

Behind the mask

— The true personality hidden by a public persona.

No one knew the sadness behind his mask of humor.

Close behind

— Following very near in distance or time.

The police were close behind the suspect.

Far behind

— A large distance or amount of progress away.

He is far behind the other students in math.

From behind

— Coming from the rear position.

The attack came from behind.

Often Confused With

behind vs after

Use 'behind' for physical position and 'after' for time or sequence.

behind vs back

'Back' is a noun or adjective; 'behind' is a preposition. 'Back of the car' vs 'Behind the car'.

behind vs below

'Below' means at a lower level; 'behind' means at the rear.

Idioms & Expressions

"Behind the scenes"

— Out of public view; in the background.

A lot of planning happens behind the scenes.

Neutral

"Behind bars"

— In prison.

He spent ten years behind bars for his crimes.

Informal/Journalistic

"Behind the wheel"

— Driving a vehicle.

You shouldn't use your phone while behind the wheel.

Neutral

"Behind someone's back"

— Secretly and often dishonestly.

Don't say things about your friends behind their backs.

Informal

"Behind the eight ball"

— In a very difficult position with little hope of success.

With the deadline tomorrow, we are behind the eight ball.

Informal (US)

"Behind the times"

— Old-fashioned; not modern.

His teaching methods are a bit behind the times.

Neutral

"Behind closed doors"

— In private; not in public.

The decision was made behind closed doors.

Neutral

"Put it behind you"

— Forget a bad experience and move forward.

It was a bad breakup, but you have to put it behind you.

Informal

"Behind the curve"

— Slower than average in learning or adopting something.

The company was behind the curve in adopting AI.

Business/Neutral

"The power behind the throne"

— A person who has the real influence but no official title.

The advisor was the real power behind the throne.

Formal/Literary

Easily Confused

behind vs after

Both relate to order.

'Behind' is spatial; 'after' is temporal. You stand behind someone, but you arrive after them.

He sat behind me. He arrived after me.

behind vs back

Both refer to the rear.

'Back' is the part of an object; 'behind' is the space outside that part.

The back of the chair is red. The cat is behind the chair.

behind vs beyond

Both involve distance.

'Behind' is at the back; 'beyond' is further away than something.

The garden is behind the house. The mountains are beyond the garden.

behind vs underneath

Both are prepositions of place.

'Underneath' is directly below; 'behind' is at the rear.

The rug is underneath the table. The chair is behind the table.

behind vs following

Both imply being in the rear.

'Following' implies movement or sequence; 'behind' can be static.

The dog is following me. The wall is behind me.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + [be] + behind + [Noun]

The ball is behind the box.

[Subject] + [Verb] + behind

She stayed behind.

[Subject] + [be] + behind + schedule

We are behind schedule.

The [Noun] behind [Noun] + [be] + [Adjective]

The reason behind the change is clear.

behind the scenes

Everything happens behind the scenes.

behind someone's back

They talked behind my back.

The [Noun] behind [Noun] + [Verb]

The technology behind the app works well.

Leave a [Noun] of [Noun] behind

He left a trail of questions behind him.

Word Family

Nouns

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

The cat is behind of the sofa. → The cat is behind the sofa.
Learners often add 'of' because of the phrase 'in front of'. 'Behind' is a preposition that does not require 'of'.
He sat after me in the theater. → He sat behind me in the theater.
'After' refers to time or sequence. 'Behind' refers to physical position. Unless he sat down after you did, use 'behind'.
I left my keys in the back. → I left my keys behind.
While 'in the back' is okay, 'behind' as an adverb specifically means you left them in the place you just came from.
We are after schedule. → We are behind schedule.
The standard collocation for being late on a timeline is 'behind schedule'. 'After schedule' is not used in English.
Who is the reason behind of this? → What is the reason behind this?
Again, the extra 'of' is incorrect. Also, 'what' is usually better than 'who' for a reason, unless asking for a person.

Tips

No 'of' needed

Never use 'of' after 'behind'. Just say 'behind the car'. This is the most common error for B1 learners.

Use for support

Use 'behind' to show you agree with someone. 'The whole team is behind the new captain' sounds very natural.

Behind schedule

This is a key phrase for work. Use it to explain delays professionally. 'I'm afraid we're running slightly behind schedule.'

Behind someone's back

Be careful with this idiom. It means doing something secretly, usually something negative like gossiping.

Stay behind

Use 'stay behind' when you remain in a place after others have left. 'I'll stay behind to lock the doors.'

Reason behind

Instead of always using 'why', try 'the reason behind'. It makes your writing sound more advanced and analytical.

Running behind

If you are late for a meeting, say 'I'm running a few minutes behind.' It's a common and polite way to apologize.

Behind the scenes

Use this to describe the hidden effort in any project. 'A lot of work goes on behind the scenes of a wedding.'

B for Back

Remember that 'Behind' and 'Back' both start with B. This helps you remember it's about the rear position.

Behind in score

In sports, 'behind' is the standard way to say a team is losing. 'They are three goals behind.'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'BE' + 'HIND'. If you are 'BE' (being) at the 'HIND' (rear) of something, you are behind it.

Visual Association

Imagine a cat hiding its body so only its tail is visible from the back of a chair.

Word Web

Back Rear Late Support Hidden Past Follow Schedule

Challenge

Try to use 'behind' in three different ways today: once for location, once for time, and once for support.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'beindan', which is a combination of 'be-' (by) and 'hindan' (from behind).

Original meaning: At the back of; from the rear.

Germanic

Cultural Context

The noun 'behind' is a polite euphemism but should be used carefully as it is informal.

Punctuality is key; 'behind schedule' is a common workplace stressor.

The Man Behind the Curtain (The Wizard of Oz) Behind Blue Eyes (Song by The Who) Leave No One Behind (Military motto)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

It's behind the bank.
The entrance is behind the building.
Go behind the park.
Look behind the statue.

Workplace/Deadlines

We're behind schedule.
Don't fall behind.
Get behind on work.
The reason behind the delay.

Sports

Trailing behind the leader.
Ten points behind.
Left the defense behind.
Coming from behind to win.

Personal Support

I'm behind you.
The team is behind the coach.
Get behind an idea.
Full support behind them.

Investigations

The truth behind the story.
Who is behind this?
The motivation behind the crime.
Hidden behind a lie.

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever fallen behind on a big project at work or school?"

"What do you think is the real reason behind the current housing prices?"

"If you could see what happens behind the scenes of any movie, which one would it be?"

"Do you prefer to be ahead of schedule or do you often find yourself running behind?"

"Who is the person who is always behind you when you make a big life decision?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you felt left behind by your friends or society. How did you handle it?

Describe the 'behind the scenes' work that goes into your favorite hobby or job.

What is a difficult experience that you have finally put behind you? How has your life changed?

Think of a person you admire. What do you think is the motivation behind their success?

Imagine you are hiding behind something and observing a secret meeting. What do you see?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'behind' is a preposition on its own. You should say 'behind the house,' not 'behind of the house.' This is a common mistake because 'in front of' uses 'of'.

Yes, informally it can mean a person's buttocks. For example, 'He fell on his behind.' However, this is very informal and should be avoided in professional writing.

It means that a task or project is taking longer than planned and is not finished by the expected time. For example, 'We are two days behind schedule on the report.'

It is used without a noun to mean 'at the back' or 'remaining.' For example, 'The others left, but I stayed behind.' Here, 'behind' doesn't need an object.

'Behind' is usually about physical position (behind the car), while 'after' is about time or sequence (after lunch, B comes after A).

It can mean literally standing at your back, or metaphorically that I support you and your decisions. 'I'm behind you 100% in your new job.'

It refers to work or activities that happen in private or in the background, out of the view of the public. It's common in theater, film, and business.

Yes, in phrases like 'put it behind you,' it means to stop letting a past event affect your present life. 'Now that the war is behind them, they can rebuild.'

As a preposition or adverb, it is neutral and can be used in any context. As a noun for buttocks, it is informal/polite.

It means to fail to keep up with a pace or a level of progress set by others. 'He fell behind in the marathon' or 'She fell behind in her math class.'