VOA慢速英语2020--Beyond and Behind

Today we answer a question from Ahmed in Egypt. He writes:

Question:

I would like to know the exact meaning of beyond and its uses and the difference between it and behind. Thanks in advance.

-- Ahmed, Egypt.

Answer:

Dear Ahmed,

Thank you for writing. While the words "beyond" and "behind" are similar, there are important differences between them.

Beyond

"Beyond" can be an adverb – a word that changes the meaning of a verb, or a preposition, a word that shows location. As an adverb, it means at a further distance, as in this example:

From my window, I can see the city lights and the mountains beyond.

It can also mean to or until a later time, or in the future, as in this sentence:

People need to know math through their school years and beyond.

In the "Toy Story" movies, the astronaut Buzz¹ Lightyear has a favorite saying,

To infinity² and beyond!

That expression means he is willing to go very far in exploring space.

As a preposition, you can use "beyond" to talk about a place or location at a greater distance than when using the word "behind."

There was a dog barking behind the fence, and beyond him two children were playing.

Behind

"Behind" can be used an adverb, preposition, or noun. As an adverb, it means in or toward the back of something. For example, you may have seen a family of ducks walking in a line:

The mother duck came first, with the baby ducks following behind.

Duck & Ducklings out for a Morning Walk, Hervey Bay Australia

Duck & Ducklings out for a Morning Walk, Hervey Bay Australia

But note that you could not use "beyond" in that sentence. Another use of "behind" is when describing something that is not happening on time.

During the pandemic, many people got behind on their rent.

That is, the rent payments were arriving late. You probably are familiar with the use of "behind" as a preposition, meaning at the back or rear³ of something. But it can also mean in the past, as in these examples:

After winning the lottery⁴, her financial problems were all behind her.

Your old clothes are just behind the times.

Now, let me test your understanding of "behind" and "beyond" in a quiz. Choose the right words to complete this sentence:

Mail deliveries usually fall ______ around the winter holidays, but they improve ______ the new year.

Are you ready? If you chose "behind" for the first blank and "beyond" for the second blank, you know the difference.

Your questions

I hope that helps to answer your question, Ahmed.

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.

I'm Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

bark – v. of a dog. to make a short loud sound

rent – adj. related to or involving payments for the use of something

lottery – n. way of raising money for a government or group in which many tickets are sold and a few of the tickets are chosen by chance to win prizes

ticket – n. a piece of paper that gives the holder⁵ a right, especially to enter a place, travel, or take part in an event.

quiz – n. a test of knowledge

delivery – n. the act of taking something to a person or place

1 buzz   

v.充满了激动或活动的声音，发出低沉的声音

参考例句：

• My brain was in buzz.我的脑袋嗡嗡响。
• A buzz went through the crowded courtroom.拥挤的法庭里响起了一片乱哄哄的说话声。

2 infinity   

n.无限，无穷，大量

参考例句：

• It is impossible to count up to infinity.不可能数到无穷大。
• Theoretically,a line can extend into infinity.从理论上来说直线可以无限地延伸。

3 rear   

vt.抚养，饲养；n.后部，后面

参考例句：

• We had to rear it in a nursery and plant it out.我们不得不在苗棚里培育它，然后再把它移植出来。
• The hall is in the rear of the building.礼堂在大楼的后部。

4 lottery   

n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事

参考例句：

• He won no less than ￡5000 in the lottery.他居然中了5000英镑的奖券。
• They thought themselves lucky in the lottery of life.他们认为自己是变幻莫测的人生中的幸运者。

5 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。