The Secret of Below and Under: Understanding the Difference

When it comes to using below and under, many people find it difficult to distinguish between these two words. After all, they both seem to convey something that is situated in a lower position, right? While it is true that below and under share some similarities, they are not completely interchangeable. In this article, we will delve into the difference between them.

Below and under have similarities and differences in some ways.

Below and Under Exercises

Below and Under Meaning Similarity

Below and under can both mean ‘lower than’. In this case they are interchangeable.

Example

• My mother always keeps the gas tank under/below the kitchen set.
• Look. Your pen is under/below your desk.

The Difference between Below and Under

First things first — let’s define these two words. “Below” and “under” are prepositions that indicate position or location in relation to something else. While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are distinct differences in their usage.

In some cases it is preferable/better to use one to the other.

How to Use Under

Generally, “under” implies that an object is covered or concealed by something else. For instance, you could say, “The book is under the table.” In this scenario, the book is hidden by the table, suggesting a sense of being covered or enclosed.

In other words, Under is preferably used when we talk about something which indicates contact. It’s usually covered/hidden.

Examples

1. She put the money under the mattress. (The money has a contact with the mattress, the money touches the mattress)
2. The gold is buried under the ground. (The gold touches the ground)

Under is also used to express less than or younger than.

Examples

1. Children under eighteen are not allowed to enter the building.
2. There are under a hundred people in this village.

How to Use Below

The word “below” refers to something at a lower level or in a lower position than another object or reference point. For example, you might say, “The cat is sleeping below the tree.” In this case, the cat is positioned beneath the tree, indicating a lower level.

Below is generally used when we talk about something which indicates no contact. It’s not directly under something. There is a space between the two things or surfaces we are talking about.

Examples

1. The cat is sleeping below the table. (The cat doesn’t touch the table.)
2. There is a mole below his left eye. (The mole doesn’t touch the eye.)

Below is also used in measurement of temperature, height, and a vertical scale.

Examples

1. According to the weather forecast, the temperature of the village will be 5 degrees below zero.
2. Please hang this picture below the biggest one.
3. Our apartment is two floors below hers.

To further grasp the difference, consider the following examples:

1. The temperature dropped below freezing last night. (Positioned at a lower level)

2. The child hid under the blankets during the thunderstorm. (Covered or concealed)

More Examples of Below and Under

Now that you understand the basic definitions, let’s move on to some more examples that will help solidify your understanding.

Example 1: Susan’s house is below mine on the hill. (Positioned at a lower level)

Example 2: The treasure is hidden under the old oak tree. (Covered or concealed)

Example 3: The swimmer remained below the surface for a few seconds. (Positioned at a lower level)

Example 4: Please place your shoes under the chair. (Covered or concealed)

By studying these examples, you can start to see the subtle distinctions between the two words.

Typical Phrases of Below and Under

Under

under a false name
under a new name
under an obligation
under age
under arrest
under control
under current laws
under maintenance
under no circumstances
under new management
under one’s breath
under pressure
under repair
under somebody
under suspicion
under the care of ….
under the direction of …
under the weather

Below

below average

below one’s expectation

below par (below the standard expected)

below the horizon

below the sea level

below the top of the mountain

Now that you have a good grasp on their definitions and usage, why not test your understanding with a few exercises?

See active and passive voice exercises here.

Below and Under Exercises

Download the exercises here.

Exercise I

Complete the sentences with below or under.

1. She hides all her money… the bed.
2. Please hang the picture … the clock.
3. We live … the sky.
4. My grandparents live around 100 metres …the top of that hill.
5. He is staying …………our room.
6. They found gold …. the ground.
7. Please hide this …….. the carpet.
8. Can you remove the picture …….our family’s photograph. It doesn’t look good.
9. The cat is hiding ….. the desk.
10. The floor ……….that roof is wet. It’s leaking somewhere.

Exercise II

Complete the phrases with below or under.

1. ………no circumstances, you should enter that room.
2. I can’t make any decisions because I am ….. Mr. Black. He’s the boss.
3. He’s very poor. His monthly income is ……… the average of everyone’s in this village.
4. His performance was ……… par. That’s he lost the match.
5. He writes his blogs …… his false name.
6. Police. You’re …….. arrest.
7. Everything’s …….. control. I can manage this project well.
8. Today is freezing. It’s 5 degrees …….zero.
9. Before you apply for this kind of job, make sure you are able to work …….. pressure.
10. ……….an obligation of paying his debt, it’s very hard for him to save his money in the bank.

Answer

Exercise I

1. She hides all her money under the bed.
2. Please hang the picture below the clock.
3. We live below the sky.
4. My grandparents live around 100 metres below the top of that hill.
5. He is staying below our room.
6. They found gold under the ground.
7. Please hide this under the carpet.
8. Can you remove the picture below our family’s photograph. It doesn’t look good.
9. The cat is hiding under/below the desk.
10. The floor below that roof is wet. It’s leaking somewhere.

Exercise II

1. under
2. under
3. below
4. below
5. under
6. under
7. under
8. below
9. under
10. under

Other Exercises

Adjectives Ending in Ing and Ed

Comparison As …As

Check this book to learn how to express yourself in different situations.