Behind vs. Beside: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
'Behind' refers to a position at the back of something, while 'beside' denotes a position next to or adjacent to something.
Key Differences
'Behind' indicates a position at the rear of something or someone. It implies that the object or person is at the back, not visible from the front. In contrast, 'beside' refers to being next to or alongside something or someone, suggesting proximity without any obstruction to visibility.
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Dec 03, 2023
In usage, 'behind' often implies a hidden or obstructed view, as in something not being directly visible or accessible. For instance, a building behind a hill is not immediately seen from in front of the hill. 'Beside,' however, indicates closeness and accessibility, such as a lamp placed beside a bed, implying ease of reach and visibility.
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Dec 03, 2023
The word 'behind' can also imply lateness or delay, as in being behind schedule, where it figuratively refers to trailing or not being up to par. 'Beside,' however, lacks such temporal or comparative connotations and strictly relates to spatial positioning.
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Dec 03, 2023
In a metaphorical sense, 'behind' can signify support or backing, like being behind a cause. Conversely, 'beside' can denote companionship or equality in status, as in standing beside someone in a situation, suggesting solidarity or support.
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Dec 03, 2023
In expressions, 'behind' forms phrases like 'behind the scenes' indicating something hidden or not public, while 'beside' is used in expressions like 'beside the point,' meaning irrelevant or off-topic, focusing on its aspect of adjacency rather than relevance.
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Dec 03, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Positional Meaning
At the back of something
Next to or adjacent to something
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Dec 03, 2023
Visibility
Implies obstruction or hidden view
Suggests proximity and clear view
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Dec 03, 2023
Connotative Usage
Can imply delay or support
Denotes closeness, companionship
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Dec 03, 2023
Metaphorical Sense
Backing, support in a non-physical sense
Standing with, in support or companionship
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Dec 03, 2023
Expressions
'Behind the scenes,' 'behind in schedule'
'Beside the point,' 'at one's side'
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Dec 03, 2023
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Behind and Beside Definitions
Behind
In a place or condition that has been passed or left
I left my gloves behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Beside
In comparison with
A proposal that seems quite reasonable beside the others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Below the standard level; in or into an inferior position
Don't fall behind in class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beside
On an equal footing with
Has earned a place beside the best performers in the business.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beside
In addition to
"Many creatures beside man live in communities" (Stuart Chase). See Usage Note at besides.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
(Archaic) Yet to come or in reserve
"the expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind" (Samuel Johnson).
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
On the farther side or other side of; beyond
The broom is behind the door.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In a place or time that has been passed or left by
Their worries are behind them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Used to indicate deficiency in performance
Behind us in technological development.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In the background of; underlying
Behind your every action is self-interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In a position or attitude of support
The leaders have the army behind them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beside
Aside from; out of the regular course or order of; in a state of deviation from; out of.
[You] have done enoughTo put him quite beside his patience.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beside
Over and above; distinct from; in addition to.
Wise and learned men beside those whose names are in the Christian records.
Paul, thou art beside thyself.
Lovely Thais sits beside thee.
Only be patient till we have appeasedThe multitude, beside themselves with fear.
It is beside my present business to enlarge on this speculation.
Besides this, there are persons in certain situations who are expected to be charitable.
And, besides, the MoorMay unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.
That man that does not know those things which are of necessity for him to know is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
At or to the back or far side of.
The children were hiding behind the wall.
The sun went behind the clouds.
Look behind you!
In front of
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
(figuratively) Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).
Behind the smile was a cruel intention.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
(figuratively) In the past, from the viewpoint of.
All my problems are behind me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
After in physical progress or distance.
Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
After in developmental progress, score, grade, etc.; inferior to.
I'm ranked sixth in the French class, behind five other pupils.
In the cricket match, England are 120 runs behind India.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.
Who is behind these terrorist attacks?
Mr Jones was the man behind the redevelopment plan.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.
What is behind this unexpected decision?
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
At or in the rear or back part of something.
The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In a rearward direction.
We ran and ran, without once looking behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
So as to come after someone or something in position, distance, advancement, ranking, time, etc.
The slower runners were left a long way behind.
In the cricket match, England finished a long way behind.
The worst thing about autumn is that winter follows behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
So as to be still in place after someone or something has departed or ceased to exist.
I couldn't be bothered to carry the ironing board, so I left it behind.
He stayed behind after the war.
He left behind a legacy of death and sorrow.
The island was inundated by the sea, leaving not a trace behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
(archaic) Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Not advanced to the required or expected degree; overdue or in arrears.
I'm very behind in my schedule.
My employer is two paychecks behind on paying my salary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
The rear, back-end.
This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.
She sneaked up on me from behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
(informal) The buttocks, bottom, butt.
I was stung on the behind by a wasp.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In the Eton College field game, any of a group of players consisting of two "shorts" (who try to kick the ball over the bully) and a "long" (who defends the goal).
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as, behind a door; behind a hill.
A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death.
A small part of what he left behind him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement.
I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Forgetting those things which are behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.
Leave not a rack behind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Having the lower score or lagging position in a contest;
Behind by two points
The 8th inning found the home team trailing
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In or to or toward the rear;
He followed behind
Seen from behind, the house is more imposing than it is from the front
The final runners were far behind
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from;
When he died he left much unfinished work behind
Left a large family behind
The children left their books behind
He took off with a squeal of tires and left the other cars far behind
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
Of timepieces;
The clock is almost an hour slow
My watch is running behind
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In or into an inferior position;
Fell behind in his studies
Their business was lagging behind in the competition for customers
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
In debt;
He fell behind with his mortgage payments
A month behind in the rent
A company that has been run behindhand for years
In arrears with their utility bills
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Oct 19, 2023
Behind
At the back part or rear of something
The garden is behind the house.
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Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is 'behind' used in timerelated contexts?
To indicate lateness or delay, e.g., behind schedule.
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Dec 03, 2023
What does 'beside' mean?
Located next to or adjacent to something or someone.
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Dec 03, 2023
Does 'beside' suggest equality?
Yes, as in standing beside someone implies equal standing.
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Dec 03, 2023
How does 'behind' differ from 'beside' in spatial terms?
'Behind' is at the rear, while 'beside' is at the side.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is 'beside' used in comparisons?
Yes, as in 'beside the point,' meaning irrelevant.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can 'behind' be used metaphorically?
Yes, as in 'behind the scenes' or 'behind in studies.'
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 03, 2023
Is 'beside' used metaphorically?
Less commonly, but it can imply support or addition.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are 'behind' and 'beside' interchangeable?
No, they denote different spatial relationships.
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Dec 03, 2023
What's an example of 'behind' in a physical sense?
"The bicycle was parked behind the building."
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Dec 03, 2023
Does 'behind' suggest a lack of progress?
It can, as in falling behind in work.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is 'beside' always neutral?
Mostly, though context can provide additional nuance.
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Dec 03, 2023
Do 'behind' and 'beside' have similar origins?
Both have Old English roots but with distinct spatial meanings.
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Dec 03, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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