What is the difference between under and below? Most people would say that under is when something is lower in position and below is when something is further down. But there’s more to it than that. Let’s take a closer look at the definitions of these words and see what else we can discover.
What is Under?
Under can mean a few different things when used as a Preposition. It typically refers to a physical relationship between two objects, meaning that one object is directly on top of, or below, the other. For example, if you put your jacket under your chair, that means the jacket is physically beneath the chair. Under can also indicate a covered area.
- If you say you’re going to sleep under the stars, that means you’ll be outside without any kind of shelter above you. Under can also be used more abstractly to describe a relationship of control or authority. If someone is under your employ, that means they work for and are controlled by you.
- You might also say someone is under suspicion if they’re accused of something but haven’t been proven guilty yet. Under can have a few different definitions as an Adverb as well. If you do something under duress, that means you’re coerced or forced into doing it against your will.
- If you do something under wraps, that means you’re keeping it secret. And if you do something under the table, that means you’re doing it illegally or without anyone knowing. Under can also be used as a noun to describe the victim of an attack or the bottom side of something. As an adjective, Under typically means lower in rank or position.
What is Below?
Below can be used in a few different ways. Most commonly, it is used as a preposition to describe something as being lower than something else. For example, you might say that the temperature is below freezing or that the sun is below the horizon. Below can also be used as an adverb to mean “in a lower place.” For example, you might say that someone climbed down below the bridge to get a better view of the river. Finally, below can be used as a noun to refer to the part of something that is lower down. For example, the Below Deck on a ship is where the crew sleeps and works.
Difference between Under and Below
Under and below are often used interchangeably, but there is actually a subtle difference between the two words. When something is under something else, it means that it is directly touching or supporting it. For example, you might say that your hat is under your desk. On the other hand, when something is below something else, it means that it is further down or lower than it. For example, you might say that your hat is below the shelf. In summary, under refers to physical contact while below refers to the position in space.
Conclusion
The main difference between under and below is that under means something is covering or supporting something else, while below refers to a location in space. For example, you might say that the book is under the table or that your car is parked below street level. When it comes to grammar, remember that using under-emphasizes the relationship between two items, while using below puts more focus on the spatial relationship. Now that you know the difference between these two words, be sure to use them correctly in your own writing!
