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.
Difference Between Behind and Beside
Table of Contents
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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
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Metaphorical Usage
Can denote reason or cause
Used for emotional states or comparison
Indicates Delay
Yes (e.g., behind schedule)
No
Comparison
No
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.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza 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 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.
