Behind vs. Beside — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 30, 2023

"Behind" indicates a position at the back of something. "Beside" denotes being next to or adjacent to something.

Behind vs. Beside — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Behind and Beside

Key Differences

"Behind" and "beside" are prepositions that elucidate spatial relationships, but they're employed in diverse contexts. While "behind" implies that something is at the back or rear of another object, "beside" communicates that something is adjacent to or next to another.

When someone says, "The cat is behind the couch," they are implying that the cat is out of sight, located at the back of the couch. Conversely, "The lamp is beside the couch" makes it clear that the lamp is positioned next to the couch, and both are likely in the viewer's line of sight.

Beyond the spatial aspect, "behind" can be used metaphorically, like "the reasons behind his actions," whereas "beside" often retains its literal meaning but can convey emotions, as in "beside oneself with joy."

"Behind" can also indicate tardiness or being delayed, like "running behind schedule." On the other hand, "beside" can be utilized to compare two entities, suggesting similarity or contrast, as in "beside the point."

Comparison Chart

Position

At the back or rear

Next to, adjacent

Metaphorical Usage

Can denote reason or cause

Used for emotional states or comparison

Indicates Delay

Yes (e.g., behind schedule)

Comparison

Yes (e.g., beside the point)

Common Objects

Couch, door, building

Couch, bed, table

Compare with Definitions

Behind

In support or backing of.

She stood behind her decision.

Beside

In comparison with.

This point is minor beside the main issue.

Behind

Lagging or trailing in relation to.

He's behind in his payments.

Beside

Not involved in or relevant to.

That's beside the point.

Behind

Less advanced in relation to.

They are behind in their studies compared to their peers.

Beside

As an aside or interruption.

But, beside that, did you enjoy the event?

Behind

At or to the far side of (something), typically so as to be hidden by it

The recording machinery was kept behind screens

The sun came out from behind a cloud

Beside

At the side of; next to

The table beside the bed

He sat beside me in the front seat

Behind

Following or further back than (another member of a moving group)

We were stuck behind a slow-moving tractor

Beside

In addition to; apart from

He commissioned work from other artists beside Minton

Behind

In support of or giving guidance to (someone else)

The power behind the throne

Whatever you decide to do, I'll be behind you

Beside

At the side of; next to.

Behind

After the departure or death of (someone)

He left behind him a manuscript which was subsequently published

Beside

In comparison with

A proposal that seems quite reasonable beside the others.

Behind

Less advanced than (someone or something) in achievement or development

The government admitted it is ten years behind the West in PC technology

Beside

On an equal footing with

Has earned a place beside the best performers in the business.

Behind

Having a lower score than (another competitor)

Woosnam moved to ten under par, five shots behind Fred Couples

Beside

In addition to

"Many creatures beside man live in communities" (Stuart Chase). See Usage Note at besides.

Behind

At or to the far side of something

Campbell grabbed him from behind

Beside

Except for. See Usage Note at besides.

Behind

In a particular place after leaving or after others have moved on

Don't leave me behind

Beside

Not relevant to

A remark that was beside the point.

Behind

Further back than other members of a moving group

Ben led the way, with Joe a short distance behind

Beside

In addition.

Behind

(in a contest or match) having a score lower than that of the opposing team

England were still 382 runs behind

Beside

Nearby.

Behind

Late in accomplishing a task

I'm getting behind with my work

Beside

Next to; at the side of.

A small table beside the bed

Behind

A person's buttocks

She slid inelegantly down a few steps on her behind

Beside

Not relevant to.

That is beside the point

Behind

A kick that sends the ball over a behind line, or a touch that sends it between the inner posts, scoring one point.

Beside

Besides; in addition.

Behind

In, to, or toward the rear

We walked behind.

Beside

Otherwise; else; besides.

Behind

In a place or condition that has been passed or left

I left my gloves behind.

Beside

At the side of; on one side of.

Behind

In arrears; late

I fell behind in my payments.

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.

Behind

Below the standard level; in or into an inferior position

Don't fall behind in class.

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.

Behind

Slow

My watch is running behind.

Beside

In a state of high emotion due to.

She was beside herself with happiness.

Behind

(Archaic) Yet to come or in reserve

"the expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind" (Samuel Johnson).

Behind

At the back of or in the rear of

He sat behind her.

Behind

On the farther side or other side of; beyond

The broom is behind the door.

Behind

In a place or time that has been passed or left by

Their worries are behind them.

Behind

Later than

The plane was behind schedule.

Behind

Used to indicate deficiency in performance

Behind us in technological development.

Behind

Hidden or concealed by

Hatred hidden behind a bland smile.

Behind

In the background of; underlying

Behind your every action is self-interest.

Behind

In a position or attitude of support

The leaders have the army behind them.

Behind

In pursuit of

The police were hard behind the escapees.

Behind

(Informal) The buttocks.

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

Behind

(figuratively) Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).

Behind the smile was a cruel intention.

Behind

(figuratively) In the past, from the viewpoint of.

All my problems are behind me.

Behind

Less forward or advanced than; after.

Ahead of

Behind

After in physical progress or distance.

Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.

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.

Behind

After in time.

London is nine hours behind Tokyo.

Behind

Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.

Who is behind these terrorist attacks?

Mr Jones was the man behind the redevelopment plan.

Behind

Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.

What is behind this unexpected decision?

Behind

In support of.

The republicans are fully behind their candidate.

Behind

As a result or consequence of.

Behind

At or in the rear or back part of something.

The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.

Behind

In a rearward direction.

We ran and ran, without once looking behind.

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.

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.

Behind

Backward in time or order of succession; past.

Behind

Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.

Behind

(archaic) Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.

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.

Behind

(of a watch or clock) Slow.

My watch is behind by four minutes.

Behind

The rear, back-end.

This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.

She sneaked up on me from behind.

Behind

(informal) The buttocks, bottom, butt.

I was stung on the behind by a wasp.

Behind

(Australian rules football) A one-point score.

Behind

The catcher.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Behind

At the back part; in the rear.

Behind

Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind.

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.

Behind

Backward in time or order of succession; past.

Forgetting those things which are behind.

Behind

After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.

Leave not a rack behind.

Behind

The backside; the rump.

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?

Behind

Having the lower score or lagging position in a contest;

Behind by two points

The 8th inning found the home team trailing

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

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

Behind

Of timepieces;

The clock is almost an hour slow

My watch is running behind

Behind

In or into an inferior position;

Fell behind in his studies

Their business was lagging behind in the competition for customers

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

Behind

At the back part of something.

The dog hid behind the tree.

Behind

Responsible for or causing.

The reason behind his departure remains a mystery.

Common Curiosities

Is "beside the point" a common phrase?

Yes, it's a way of saying something is irrelevant to the main topic.

Does "behind" always suggest being late?

No, it can simply mean the rear position, but it can also indicate lateness.

Can "behind" be used in terms of support?

Yes, like "standing behind a decision" means supporting it.

How can "beside" convey emotion?

Phrases like "beside oneself with joy" mean someone is overwhelmed with emotion.

If someone's "behind" in work, does it mean they're at the back?

No, it means they're delayed or not up-to-date.

If two objects are touching, can "beside" be used?

Yes, "beside" denotes proximity, whether touching or very close.

Does "behind" always indicate something hidden?

No, "behind" can just mean at the back, not necessarily concealed.

Can "beside" mean "besides"?

While similar, "beside" usually means "next to," while "besides" can mean "apart from" or "in addition to."

Can "behind" be used metaphorically?

Yes, for instance, "the idea behind the story" refers to the central concept.

Does "beside" always indicate physical proximity?

Often, but it can also indicate emotional states or comparison.

Share via Social Media

Embed This Content

Embed Code

Share Directly via Messenger

Link

Previous Comparison

Conducent vs. Conducive

Next Comparison

Sink vs. Draw

Author Spotlight

Written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.