behind the door

USAGE SUMMARY

"behind the door" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is located near a specific door. Example: He found a secret envelope behind the door.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Get a behind the door rack.

Huffington Post

He crouched behind the door.

The New Yorker

Who sings Behind the Door?

The Guardian - Music

The real voice behind the door?

The New Yorker

I escaped by hiding behind the door".

The Guardian

Elsa's bed was behind the door.

The Guardian - Books

The weight room looms behind the door on the right.

The New York Times - Sports

I escaped by hiding behind the door," she added.

Independent

It was quiet for a while behind the door.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Try the behind-the-door method.

WikiHow

I hid behind the door..

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical space, use "behind the door" to provide a precise location, especially when something is not immediately visible upon entering.

Common error

Avoid using "behind the door" excessively in metaphorical contexts where simpler expressions like "hidden" or "secret" would be clearer and more direct. This can make your writing sound convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind the door" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location or position. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used to specify where something or someone is situated relative to a door. Examples include "He hid behind the door" or "The key was behind the door."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind the door" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating a spatial relationship—specifically, something located at the rear of a door. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent occurrence in contexts like News & Media and Wiki. While its register is generally neutral, "behind the door" can create a sense of mystery or suspense. When writing, consider its literal meaning for spatial precision and figurative potential for suggesting hidden or unknown elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the other side of the door

Indicates a location directly opposite the speaker or observer, separated by the door.

just inside the doorway

Specifies a position immediately after passing through the door, focusing on proximity to the entrance.

just beyond the entrance

Similar to 'just inside the doorway', emphasizing immediate proximity to entering.

hidden by the door

Emphasizes the act of being concealed by the presence of the door.

at the door's rear

Indicates a position located at the back of the door, when considering its placement.

out of sight beyond the door

Highlights the removal from view due to the door's presence.

within the room

Broadly indicates a location inside the room, without specific reference to the door.

past the threshold

Focuses on the act of crossing the entrance to the room.

in the interior

General term for being inside, lacking the door's specific reference.

inside the enclosure

Describes being within an enclosed space, more general than being near a door.

FAQs

How can I use "behind the door" in a sentence?

You can use "behind the door" to describe a location (e.g., "The cat was hiding behind the door") or to create a sense of mystery (e.g., "We don't know what's behind the door").

What are some alternatives to "behind the door"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "on the other side of the door", "hidden by the door", or "just inside the doorway".

Is it always literal when we use the phrase "behind the door"?

No, it's not always literal. The phrase can also be used figuratively to describe something that is hidden or not yet revealed.

Which is more common, "behind the door" or "in front of the door"?

"Behind the door" is more common when referring to something concealed or less obvious, whereas "in front of the door" describes something directly visible before entering.