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Under, below, or beneath
Under means directly below or covered by something, below means lower than a level, and beneath is a formal or literary under.
Quick rule
Covered, or less than a number? Under. Lower on a scale or a page? Below. Same as under, but formal or literary? Beneath.
Directly lower than something, often covered by it: under the bed. Also less than a number: under 18.
At a lower level than something, or lower than a point on a scale: below zero, below average.
A formal or literary word for under: beneath the waves. With a person, not good enough for them: beneath him.
How to choose
| Question | under | below | beneath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does it go with a scale or a level (zero, average)? | No | Yes | No |
| Can it go with a person to mean not good enough for them (___ him)? | No | SometimesSometimes | Yes |
| Can it mean less than with an age or a price (___ 18)? | Yes | SometimesSometimes | No |
Why it trips people up
Under is the everyday word for directly lower or covered. Below is about levels: lower on a scale, a page, or a building. Beneath overlaps with under but sounds formal or literary, and it also means "not worthy of".
How each one works
Under
Lower and covered
The cat is hiding under the bed.
Less than a number or age
Children under 12 travel free.
In a process: under construction
The bridge is still under construction.
Below
Lower on a page
Sign your name below the photo.
Lower on a scale
It was ten degrees below zero.
Less than average
His grades are below average.
Beneath
Formal: under
They found a tunnel beneath the old church.
Beneath someone: not good enough
He thinks cleaning is beneath him.
Buried or covered
The coins were buried beneath a pile of rocks.
What comes next
under plus what covers it
I found my phone under a pile of clothes.
under plus number or age
The trip costs under $500.
below plus level or average
Sales were below what we expected.
beneath plus place, formal
The treasure lies beneath the sea.
Set phrases
Under
- under investigation
- being looked into officially
- under construction
- still being built
Below
- below average
- not as good as usual or as most others
- below freezing
- colder than the point where water turns to ice
Beneath
- marry beneath yourself
- to marry someone of a lower social class
Almost the same
The dog sleeps under the table.
Right under it, covered by the table.
The dog sleeps beneath the table.
Same place, but it sounds like a story.
The kitchen is below the bedroom.
On the floor below: lower, not covered.
In a conversation
- A:
What are you reading?
- B:
A mystery. 'Beneath the old house, there was a secret room.'
- A:
Scary! Is it OK for kids under twelve?
- B:
No. Look at the note below the title: for adults only.
Common mistakes
Wrong: The results are under expectations.
Right: The results are below expectations.
Expectations work like a level on a scale, so below is the usual word: Oxford gives below average.
Wrong: I left the key below the doormat.
Right: I left the key under the doormat.
The mat covers the key, so it's under. Cambridge uses below when there is no contact.
Memory trick
Under is covered, like under a blanket. Below is lower on a scale or a page. Beneath is under in its best clothes: same place, more formal.
It depends
- Underneath
- Underneath stresses that something is hidden or covered, as in I found it underneath the sofa cushions. It also works for hidden feelings.
FAQ
Under, below, or beneath?
Under is the everyday choice for directly lower or covered. Below fits levels and scales. Beneath means the same as under but sounds formal or literary.
Beneath or underneath: what is the difference?
Both mean under. Underneath stresses that something is hidden or covered; beneath sounds more formal and also means not worthy of someone.