behind that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behind that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is located at the back of or in support of another object or idea. Example: "There is a deeper meaning behind that statement that we need to explore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McCarthy wouldn't get behind that.

Huffington Post

There's a story behind that.

The New York Times

Everything else falls behind that.

The New York Times

"There is no real concept behind that.

The New York Times

For Jenkins, "democracy lies behind that.

Independent

"Brian was the guy behind that.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a long history behind that.

Independent

"People need to get behind that.

Independent

You can't hide behind that.

The Guardian - Sport

He's 100% behind that.

BBC

IT was a key driver behind that.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "behind that" to indicate a cause or reason, ensure the connection is clear and logical to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There's a story behind that", specify "The historical context behind that decision is complex".

Common error

Avoid using "behind that" in overly vague or general statements where the specific reason or cause is not evident. For example, avoid "There's something behind that" without clarifying what that 'something' is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind that" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a reason, cause, or origin. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used to inquire about or explain the underlying factors influencing an event or decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind that" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used to explore underlying causes or reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. Its versatility makes it suitable for both informal and analytical discussions. Related phrases include "supporting that" and "underlying that", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas. While the phrase is generally appropriate, writers should avoid vagueness and ensure the connection between the phrase and its referent is clear to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporting that

Focuses on the act of providing support or agreement, emphasizing a proactive stance.

underlying that

Highlights the fundamental or foundational aspect that influences or explains something.

in support of that

A more formal way of expressing agreement or advocacy for a specific cause or idea.

motivating that

Emphasizes the cause or reason that drives or inspires a particular action or decision.

driving that

Focuses on the force or influence that propels or directs a specific outcome or trend.

the cause of that

Highlights a direct relationship between the cause and what follows, a very direct semantic match, emphasizing causality.

the reason for that

Similar to 'the cause of that' but emphasizing the explanation or justification.

justifying that

Highlights the reasons or evidence that validate or defend a particular action or belief.

at the back of that

Focuses on the literal physical position or location behind something, providing a spatial reference.

accountable for that

Highlights a more negative direct relationship emphasizing responsability and answering for something.

FAQs

How can I use "behind that" in a sentence?

You can use "behind that" to refer to something that is the reason or cause of something else. For example, "What's the logic "behind that" decision?"

What does "behind that" mean?

"Behind that" generally means the underlying reason, motivation, or cause of something. It implies there's more to understand than what is immediately apparent.

Which is a better choice: "the reason behind that" or "the reason of that"?

"The reason "behind that"" is grammatically correct and commonly used. "The reason of that" is not standard English.

Are there formal alternatives to "behind that"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "the rationale for that", "the underlying cause of that", or "the motivation "motivating that"" depending on the context.