behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "behind" in various contexts, such as to describe a physical location, to talk about the cause of something, or to explain the motivation for an action. For example: John hid behind the couch when he heard a loud noise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He doesn't have what it takes to repair the budget mess that they have left behind".

The Guardian

There are good reasons to be supporting bingo, there are good reasons to be encouraging our pub sector to be stronger - that's the analysis behind those measures".

The Guardian

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

The UVF in east Belfast has been behind much of the street riots connected to the union flag dispute at Belfast city hall.

The Guardian

The perils of crashing are obvious, but being trapped behind a crash when the road is blocked with bodies and bikes is equally perturbing.

The Guardian - Sport

Nevertheless, Behind the Candelabra screened as a competition entry at the Cannes film festival in May, and later debuted in UK cinemas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But poor children in Stoke-on-Trent start school two years behind their peers in leafier parts of the country.

The Guardian

Behind this summer's heat are greenhouse gases emitted decades ago.

The Economist

After Shad mentioned the words "gay" and "marriage," we heard Peter's wife hiss, "Don't talk to those people!" Peter rolled his eyes slightly, stepped out onto the porch, and shut the door behind him.

The Economist

Liberal Democrats stood behind their leader, who will go home happy.

The Guardian - Opinion

In January, Strasbourg judges ruled four-to-three threethe three lifers condemned to die behind bars are not having their human rights breached.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "behind" to indicate support, ensure the context clearly shows endorsement or advocacy. For instance, "The community stood behind the initiative" is more effective than "The community was behind the initiative."

Common error

Avoid using "behind" when you mean "beside". "Beside" indicates being next to something, while "behind" indicates being at the back of something. For example, "The tree beside the house" is correct, not "The tree behind the house" if the tree is next to it.

Linguistic Context

The word "behind" functions primarily as a preposition indicating location or position relative to something else. It can also function as an adverb, indicating direction or lateness. Ludwig shows various examples where it indicates location or support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

9%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Business

3%

Lifestyle

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "behind" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a preposition and adverb, frequently used to indicate location, support, or causation. Analysis of examples in Ludwig confirms its prevalent use across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of potential confusion with similar words. Ludwig's AI states this word is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the back

Simple and direct way to indicate location.

in the rear of

Emphasizes physical positioning at the back.

supporting

Focuses on providing assistance or endorsement.

responsible for

Highlights accountability or agency.

lagging

Indicates a state of falling behind in progress or development.

in arrears

Specifically refers to being late with payments or tasks.

the cause of

Highlights causal relationships.

after

Denotes a temporal sequence or order.

following

Indicates position in a sequence or order.

hiding

Emphasis on concealment or obstruction.

FAQs

How can I use "behind" in a sentence?

You can use "behind" to indicate location (e.g., "The cat is behind the sofa"), support (e.g., "The team is behind their coach"), or cause (e.g., "The reason behind the decision is complex").

What's the difference between "behind" and "after"?

"Behind" typically refers to a position in space or support, while "after" indicates a sequence in time. For example, "He is behind the car" (location) versus "He arrived after the game" (time).

What can I say instead of "left behind"?

Alternatives for "left behind" include "abandoned", "forgotten", or "deserted", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the analysis behind those measures"?

Yes, it's correct. This phrasing indicates the reasoning or rationale supporting the measures. As seen in examples, "behind" can be used to describe the logic underpinning something.