walk behind

USAGE SUMMARY

'walk behind' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of walking directly behind someone. For example: "I could hear my mom telling me to walk behind her as we went to the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Never walk behind or right In front of a horse these are its blind spots.

WikiHow

I wouldn't walk behind Artie Behrens.

The New York Times

It was comforting to walk behind her.

The New Yorker

I'd rather walk behind a lawn mower.

The New York Times - Magazine

They let me walk behind the rope and touch it.

The New York Times

I said I'd follow him and walk behind him".

Independent

They must walk behind men at home, but apparently cannot walk behind the Saudi flag in London.

The New York Times - Sports

"We tend to walk behind them," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Walk-behind lawn mowers have doubled in horsepower since 1987.

The New York Times

For the small-scale farmer, he favors a walk-behind tractor with attachments.

The New York Times

You'll usually need to tilt a walk-behind mower to remove the blade.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of actions, use "walk behind" to clearly indicate the order and spatial relationship between individuals or objects. For example, "The children were instructed to walk behind the teacher during the field trip."

Common error

Avoid using "walk behind" when you intend to describe walking alongside someone. "Walk behind" specifically means to be positioned at the rear, not abreast. To indicate walking side-by-side, use phrases like "walk beside" or "walk alongside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk behind" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "walk" is the verb and "behind" acts as a preposition indicating direction and location. It describes the action of moving in a trailing position.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walk behind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of moving in a trailing position. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It carries a neutral tone, suitable for various contexts. The analysis indicates its frequent use in News & Media and Wiki, suggesting its common presence in both formal reporting and informational content. Whether guiding someone or providing instructions, understanding the nuances of "walk behind" ensures clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow closely

Focuses on the proximity of the following action, implying a shorter distance.

trail after

Implies a less formal and potentially slower pace of following.

go after

Highlights the act of pursuing or following someone or something, generally suggesting a purpose.

bring up the rear

Refers to being at the very back of a group or procession.

tag along

Suggests following someone, often without invitation.

shadow

Implies following someone closely and often secretly.

follow in the wake of

Describes following someone's path or actions, often used metaphorically.

keep pace with

Indicates maintaining the same speed and position as someone moving forward.

bring up the train

Implies walking behind a wedding dress/royal train.

tailgate

Refers to following another vehicle too closely.

FAQs

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

You can use "walk behind" to describe the act of following someone or something directly. For example, "The dog learned to walk behind its owner during walks" or "In the parade, the children were instructed to walk behind the banner."

What is the difference between "walk behind" and "walk beside"?

"Walk behind" means to follow someone, being positioned at their rear. "Walk beside" indicates walking alongside someone, in a parallel position.

What can I say instead of "walk behind"?

Alternatives to "walk behind" include "follow closely", "trail after", or "bring up the rear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever impolite to "walk behind" someone?

While "walk behind" itself isn't inherently impolite, doing so in certain situations could be seen as such. For instance, constantly walking behind someone in a narrow space might be perceived as intrusive or disrespectful, especially if not explicitly stated. It's more of a problem of the social situation, not of the act itself.