Behind vs. After — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Behind" refers to being physically in back of something, indicating position, while "after" denotes following in time or sequence.
Difference Between Behind and After
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Behind" is primarily used to describe a spatial relationship where one object or person is at the back of another. It suggests a literal or figurative position that is rearward, such as one vehicle being behind another on the road. On the other hand, "after" is used to indicate temporal succession, meaning that one event or action follows another in time. It can also suggest a pursuit or consequence of an event.
In terms of usage, "behind" can also imply being late or delayed relative to a reference point, such as in "behind schedule," where it indicates a lag in time but still maintains a spatial metaphor of lagging behind. Conversely, "after" can extend beyond temporal sequencing to denote causation or motivation, as in "after all our discussions, I decided to stay," where it explains the reason following discussions.
"Behind" often carries a connotation of support or concealment, suggesting something hidden or supported by another, as in "the power behind the throne," indicating a person who influences secretly. In contrast, "after" can imply a motivation or pursuit, such as in "he takes after his mother," where it means to resemble or mimic, showing a relationship based not on position but on sequence or consequence.
When it comes to expressions, "behind" is used in phrases like "behind the scenes," which means occurring out of public view, focusing on the hidden aspect. "After," however, is used in contexts like "day after day," emphasizing repetition and continuation over time, without any spatial implications.
The prepositions also appear in different kinds of phrases, where "behind" is suitable for scenarios requiring descriptions of locations or support, and "after" is more fitting for sequences, consequences, and motivations. This distinction highlights their respective uses in describing spatial versus temporal relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Usage
Spatial position
Temporal sequence
Common Meanings
At the back of, delayed, supporting
Following in time, resulting from
Connotations
Support, concealment, lagging
Sequence, consequence, continuation
Example Contexts
"Behind the building," "fall behind"
"After the meeting," "year after year"
Phrase Examples
"Behind the scenes," "behind closed doors"
"After you," "after all is said and done"
Compare with Definitions
Behind
Situated at the back.
The garage is behind the house.
After
In time following; later than.
After the party, they cleaned up the house.
Behind
Hidden or concealed by.
The sun disappeared behind the clouds.
After
In pursuit or search of.
The police are after the escaped suspect.
Behind
Less advanced in achievement or development.
He is behind his classmates in math.
After
Concerning or about.
He asked after your health.
Behind
Supporting or backing.
The team stood solidly behind their coach.
After
Considering or despite.
After everything that's happened, I still trust him.
Behind
Responsible for, often secretly.
She was the real power behind the company's success.
After
In the style of or similar to.
He named his son after his grandfather.
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
After
In the time following (an event or another period of time)
After a while he returned
He'd gone out with his secretary for an after-work drink
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Colorado
Behind
Following or further back than (another member of a moving group)
We were stuck behind a slow-moving tractor
After
Behind
She went out, shutting the door after her
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
After
In pursuit or quest of
Chasing after something you can't have
Behind
Less advanced than (someone or something) in achievement or development
The government admitted it is ten years behind the West in PC technology
After
Next to and following in order or importance
In their order of priorities health comes after housing
Behind
Having a lower score than (another competitor)
Woosnam moved to ten under par, five shots behind Fred Couples
After
In allusion to (someone or something with the same or a related name)
They named her Pauline, after Barbara's mother
Behind
At or to the far side of something
Campbell grabbed him from behind
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
Behind
In a particular place after leaving or after others have moved on
Don't leave me behind
After
During the period of time following (an event)
Duke Frederick died soon after
Bath time ended in a flood after the taps were left running
Behind
Further back than other members of a moving group
Ben led the way, with Joe a short distance behind
After
Later
He was sorry in after years
Behind
(in a contest or match) having a score lower than that of the opposing team
England were still 382 runs behind
After
Nearer the stern of a ship
The after cabin
Behind
Late in accomplishing a task
I'm getting behind with my work
After
Behind in place or order
Z comes after Y in the alphabet.
Behind
A person's buttocks
She slid inelegantly down a few steps on her behind
After
Next to or lower than in order or importance.
Behind
A kick that sends the ball over a behind line, or a touch that sends it between the inner posts, scoring one point.
After
In quest or pursuit of
Seek after fame.
Go after big money.
Behind
In, to, or toward the rear
We walked behind.
After
Concerning
Asked after you.
Behind
In a place or condition that has been passed or left
I left my gloves behind.
After
Subsequent in time to; at a later time than
Come after dinner.
Behind
In arrears; late
I fell behind in my payments.
After
Subsequent to and because of or regardless of
They are still friends after all their differences.
Behind
Below the standard level; in or into an inferior position
Don't fall behind in class.
After
Following continually
Year after year.
Behind
Slow
My watch is running behind.
After
In the style of or in imitation of
Satires after Horace.
Behind
(Archaic) Yet to come or in reserve
"the expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind" (Samuel Johnson).
After
With the same or close to the same name as; in honor or commemoration of
Named after her mother.
Behind
At the back of or in the rear of
He sat behind her.
After
According to the nature or desires of; in conformity to
A tenor after my own heart.
Behind
On the farther side or other side of; beyond
The broom is behind the door.
After
Past the hour of
Five minutes after three.
Behind
In a place or time that has been passed or left by
Their worries are behind them.
After
(Irish) Used with a present participle to indicate action that has just been completed
"Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago" (James Joyce).
Behind
Later than
The plane was behind schedule.
After
Behind; in the rear.
Behind
Used to indicate deficiency in performance
Behind us in technological development.
After
At a later or subsequent time; afterward
Three hours after.
Departed shortly after.
Behind
Hidden or concealed by
Hatred hidden behind a bland smile.
After
Subsequent in time or place; later; following
In after years.
Behind
In the background of; underlying
Behind your every action is self-interest.
After
Located near the stern of a vessel or the rear or an aircraft or spacecraft.
Behind
In a position or attitude of support
The leaders have the army behind them.
After
Following or subsequent to the time that
I saw them after I arrived.
Behind
In pursuit of
The police were hard behind the escapees.
After
Afternoon.
Behind
(Informal) The buttocks.
After
Afters Chiefly British Dessert.
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
After
Behind; later in time; following.
I left the room, and the dog bounded after.
They lived happily ever after.
I might come next month, or the month after.
Behind
(figuratively) Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).
Behind the smile was a cruel intention.
After
Subsequently to; following in time; later than.
We had a few beers after the game.
The time is quarter after eight.
The Cold War began shortly after WWII.
After you with the salt/paper.
I told her to shut the door after her.
Behind
(figuratively) In the past, from the viewpoint of.
All my problems are behind me.
After
Behind.
He will leave a trail of destruction after him.
Behind
Less forward or advanced than; after.
Ahead of
After
In pursuit of, seeking.
He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.
Behind
After in physical progress or distance.
Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.
After
In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.
We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.
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.
After
Next in importance or rank.
The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.
Behind
After in time.
London is nine hours behind Tokyo.
After
As a result of.
After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.
Behind
Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.
Who is behind these terrorist attacks?
Mr Jones was the man behind the redevelopment plan.
After
In spite of.
After all that has happened, he is still my friend.
I can't believe that, after all our advice against gambling, you walked into that casino!
Behind
Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.
What is behind this unexpected decision?
After
Used to indicate recent completion of an activity
I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.
Behind
In support of.
The republicans are fully behind their candidate.
After
(dated) According to an author or text.
Behind
As a result or consequence of.
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.
To look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness
Behind
At or in the rear or back part of something.
The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.
After
(obsolete) According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
Behind
In a rearward direction.
We ran and ran, without once looking behind.
After
Signifies that the action of the clause it starts takes place before the action of the other clause.
I went home after we had decided to call it a day.
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.
After
(dated) Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
After
Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life.
Behind
Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.
After
Hinder; nearer the rear.
Behind
(archaic) Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
After
Behind in place; as, men in line one after another.
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.
After
Below in rank; next to in order.
Codrus after Ph bus sings the best.
Behind
(of a watch or clock) Slow.
My watch is behind by four minutes.
After
Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was interposed between it and the clause.
After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Behind
The rear, back-end.
This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.
She sneaked up on me from behind.
After
Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful.
Behind
(informal) The buttocks, bottom, butt.
I was stung on the behind by a wasp.
After
Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course.
Behind
(Australian rules football) A one-point score.
After
Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in pursuit of.
Ye shall not go after other gods.
After whom is the king of Israel come out?
Behind
The catcher.
After
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness.
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).
After
In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father.
Our eldest son was named George after his uncle.
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.
After
According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the nature of; as, he acted after his kind.
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes.
They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.
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.
After
According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk and currency, and not after their intrinsic value.
Behind
At the back part; in the rear.
After
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.
It was about the space of three hours after.
Behind
Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind.
After
Located farther aft
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.
After
Happening at a time subsequent to a reference time;
He apologized subsequently
He's going to the store but he'll be back here later
It didn't happen until afterward
Two hours after that
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Forgetting those things which are behind.
After
Behind or in the rear;
And Jill came tumbling after
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
Common Curiosities
Can "behind" and "after" be used interchangeably?
No, "behind" is used for spatial relationships and "after" for temporal or causal relationships.
What does "looking after" mean?
"Looking after" means to take care of or be in charge of someone or something.
How does "after" convey causation?
"After" conveys causation by implying that one event is the result or effect of a preceding event.
How do "behind" and "after" relate to perspectives?
"Behind" relates to a physical perspective, indicating a backward position, while "after" relates to a temporal perspective, indicating succession.
What does "leave behind" imply?
"Leave behind" implies leaving something or someone in a location as one moves to another place.
Is "behind" only used in physical contexts?
No, "behind" can also be used metaphorically to imply support or hidden influence.
Can "after" indicate a search or pursuit?
Yes, "after" can indicate a search or pursuit, as in being after someone or something.
What is a common usage of "behind" in finance?
In finance, "behind" can describe being late on payments, as in "behind on the mortgage."
Does "after" always follow directly?
Not necessarily; "after" can indicate any sequence where one thing follows another, not immediately but in succession.
How do phrases like "behind the wheel" conceptualize "behind"?
Phrases like "behind the wheel" conceptualize "behind" as being in control or in charge, often relating to the position from which one operates something.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
