VOA慢速英语2019--Under, Below, Beneath and Underneath

 

The middle of February is winter here in Washington, DC. I walked outside this morning and the temperature was below freezing! And I made the mistake of wearing light clothing. So I went back in the house and put on a sweater under my coat.

The words “under” and “below” are close in meaning. They are also similar to the words “beneath” and “underneath¹.” All of them can act as prepositions or adverbs. I will have more on that shortly.

So, if all four words are similar, how do we know which word to use? In our program today, we will answer that.

First, I have some good news: The word “under” is the most widely used of the four words and can often replace the others. If you are ever unsure which one to use, choose “under.”

A lower place: under, below, beneath, underneath

Now let’s begin.

The words “under,” “below,” “beneath” and “underneath” can all mean “in a lower place or position and sometimes covered by something else.”

“Under” is the most used of the three in everyday speech when talking about a lower physical position, like this:

We sat under the stars and listened to the night sounds.

Keeping the boxes under the bed helps to save space.

“Beneath” differs here only in that it is more formal and less common in spoken English. But, you could use it for those two examples.

“Underneath” is often used to say that something is under and covered by something else, so you could use it for the boxes example.

You could also use “below,” but we normally use this word for things of a similar grouping. Listen to the examples:

I hung the new family photo below the old one.

Please carefully read and sign the below document.

In the first example, the photos are on the same wall; in the second, the document is part of an email or group of papers.

Three of the words – “under” “below” and “beneath” – can also be used when identifying someone of a lower rank or with less power than someone else. Here is an example:

In the U.S. army, a captain is below a lieutenant².

Covered by: under, beneath, underneath

The words “under” “beneath” and “underneath” can also more specifically mean “covered or hidden by something.” This can refer to something physically³ covered by another thing. Or, it can refer to hidden personal qualities.

Listen to someone use the first meaning:

I’m wearing a black sweater underneath this coat.

Note that the word “underneath” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: this coat.

And, now the second:

Her personality seems cold but she’s really warm underneath.

Note that the word “underneath” comes at the end of the sentence – the most common placement when our four words today act as adverbs.

Not worthy⁴ of: below, beneath

Next, “below” and “beneath” can refer to people or things that are unworthy in some way or of a lower social ranking.

Here is how someone might use the words:

He refuses to take a job that he sees as beneath him.

Some people think she married below her family.

This meaning is negative, however. So exercise care when using it.

Lower in number: under, below

Another meaning for “under” and “below” relates to measurement. It means “lower than in age, number or level.”

The word “under” is common in reference⁵ to age:

It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are under 21 years of age.

In this example, the word “under” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: 21 years of age.

Now here it is again but serving an adverb:

It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are 21 years of age or under.

Now, onto measurements.

We usually use “below” when discussing such things as height and temperature. Have a listen:

Temperatures in the Midwest fell below zero last week.

A large part of New Orleans is at or below sea level.

More about ‘under’

I want to quickly tell you two more meanings of the word “under” since it’s such a common word with a lot of meanings.

It can mean “guided by or managed by,” as in this:

The restaurant will be under new management starting in March.

It can also mean “in a condition or state,” as in this:

The shopping center is under construction until next year.

Used as a prefix⁶

“Under” can also be used as a prefix – a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

As such, it can mean “below” or “less than an expected or correct amount” and can be an adjective or a verb. Listen to the first sentence, which uses an adjective, and the second, which uses a verb:

I cannot permit you to enter this club. You’re underage.

Oh no! They undercooked the chicken. I can’t eat it now.

‘Under’ expressions

And, lastly, “under” is also used in common English expressions, such as:

under the weather

under pressure

under the law

under arrest and

under your breath

There are many and you don’t need to memorize them. But keep in mind that expressions often cannot be understood from the meanings of their separate words.

And now, be sure to do the practice below.

I’m Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

sweater – n. a warm usually knitted⁷ piece of clothing for the upper part of your body

formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing

rank – n. a position in a society, organization or group

refer to –? v. to have a direct connection or relationship to something

indirect object –? n. a noun phrase referring to someone or something that is affected⁸ by the action of a verb

negative – adj. expressing dislike or disapproval⁹

construction – n. the act or process of building something

club – n. a business that provides entertainment, such as music or a show, and that usually serves food and alcohol

practice – v. the activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it

1 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

2 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

5 reference   

n.提到，说到，暗示，查看，查阅

参考例句：

• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。
• I like to have my reference books within my reach.我喜欢把参考书放到伸手可取的地方。

6 prefix   

n.前缀；vt.加…作为前缀；置于前面

参考例句：

• We prefix "Mr."to a man's name.我们在男士的姓名前加“先生”。
• In the word "unimportant ","un-" is a prefix.在单词“unimportant”中“un”是前缀。

7 knitted   

v.（使）愈合( knit的过去式和过去分词 )；编结；（使）紧密地结合；织平针

参考例句：

• I knitted this cardigan myself. 我自己织的这件开襟毛衣。
• Our two nations are knitted together by common concerns. 共同关心的问题使我们两国团结一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 disapproval   

n.反对，不赞成

参考例句：

• The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
• They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。