Before vs. Behind — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Before indicates a time or position ahead, often suggesting priority or sequence, while behind denotes a position at the back or a delay compared to a reference point.
Difference Between Before and Behind
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Before typically refers to a position or time that precedes another in sequence. For instance, in a queue, if you are before someone, you are ahead of them in line. Whereas behind points to a position or time that is after or later than another. If you are behind someone in a queue, you are positioned after them.
When discussing scheduling or temporal context, "before" implies earlier occurrence or presence, such as arriving before noon. On the other hand, behind is used to describe being late or after the expected time, like running behind schedule.
In terms of spatial orientation, before can be used to describe something in front of a reference point, such as standing before a crowd. Conversely, behind describes something located at the back of a reference point, as in standing behind the stage.
In narratives and storytelling, before often sets the stage for events that have happened previously, providing background or context. Meanwhile, behind can imply a hidden aspect or something that is not immediately apparent, adding a layer of mystery or revelation to the narrative.
Before can also indicate preference or priority in terms of importance or order, such as choosing one option before another. Whereas behind might suggest a ranking or status that is lower or less favorable, such as placing less emphasis on one option behind others.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Temporal Use
Indicates earlier time or occurrence
Indicates later time or delay
Spatial Use
In front of a reference point
At the back of a reference point
Narrative Use
Sets stage for earlier events
Reveals hidden aspects or backstory
Priority Use
Implies priority or preference
Suggests lesser priority or ranking
Common Phrases
"before the deadline"
"behind schedule"
Compare with Definitions
Before
In anticipation of.
Before you say anything, listen to my side of the story.
Behind
Later than expected.
The project is behind schedule.
Before
Earlier in time.
We must finish this project before Friday.
Behind
Inferior to.
His performance was behind that of his peers.
Before
In preference to.
She always puts her family's needs before her own.
Behind
At the back of.
The garden is located behind the house.
Before
Preceding in order.
Read the instructions before turning on the machine.
Behind
Concealed by.
The sun was hidden behind the clouds.
Before
During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
She had to rest before dinner
His playing days had ended six years before
It's never happened to me before
The day before yesterday
They lived rough for four days before they were arrested
Behind
Supporting or backing.
The whole team is behind the new initiative.
Before
In front of
Matilda stood before her, panting
Trotting through the city with guards running before and behind
Behind
At or to the far side of (something), typically so as to be hidden by it
The recording machinery was kept behind screens
The sun came out from behind a cloud
Before
In preference to; rather than
They would die before they would cooperate with each other
A skilled warrior who places duty before all else
Behind
Following or further back than (another member of a moving group)
We were stuck behind a slow-moving tractor
Before
During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
The day before yesterday
It's never happened to me before
She had to rest before dinner
They lived rough for four days before they were arrested
His playing days had ended six years before
Behind
In support of or giving guidance to (someone else)
The power behind the throne
Whatever you decide to do, I'll be behind you
Before
In front of
Trotting through the city with guards running before and behind
Matilda stood before her, panting
Behind
After the departure or death of (someone)
He left behind him a manuscript which was subsequently published
Before
In preference to; rather than
They would die before they would cooperate with each other
A skilled warrior who places duty before all else
Behind
Less advanced than (someone or something) in achievement or development
The government admitted it is ten years behind the West in PC technology
Before
During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
It's never happened to me before
The day before yesterday
She had to rest before dinner
His playing days had ended six years before
They lived rough for four days before they were arrested
Behind
Having a lower score than (another competitor)
Woosnam moved to ten under par, five shots behind Fred Couples
Before
In front of
Trotting through the city with guards running before and behind
Matilda stood before her, panting
Behind
At or to the far side of something
Campbell grabbed him from behind
Before
In preference to; rather than
They would die before they would cooperate with each other
A skilled warrior who places duty before all else
Behind
In a particular place after leaving or after others have moved on
Don't leave me behind
Before
Earlier in time
They called me the day before.
Behind
Further back than other members of a moving group
Ben led the way, with Joe a short distance behind
Before
In front; ahead.
Behind
(in a contest or match) having a score lower than that of the opposing team
England were still 382 runs behind
Before
Previous to in time; earlier than.
Behind
Late in accomplishing a task
I'm getting behind with my work
Before
In front of.
Behind
A person's buttocks
She slid inelegantly down a few steps on her behind
Before
In store for; awaiting
The young man's whole life lies before him.
Behind
A kick that sends the ball over a behind line, or a touch that sends it between the inner posts, scoring one point.
Before
Into or in the presence of
She asked that the visitor be brought before her.
Behind
In, to, or toward the rear
We walked behind.
Before
Under the consideration or jurisdiction of
The case is now before the court.
Behind
In a place or condition that has been passed or left
I left my gloves behind.
Before
In a position superior to
The prince is before his brother in the line of succession.
Behind
In arrears; late
I fell behind in my payments.
Before
In advance of the time when
See me before you leave.
Behind
Below the standard level; in or into an inferior position
Don't fall behind in class.
Before
Rather than; sooner than
I will die before I will betray my country.
Behind
Slow
My watch is running behind.
Before
Earlier than (in time).
I want this done before Monday.
Behind
(Archaic) Yet to come or in reserve
"the expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind" (Samuel Johnson).
Before
In front of in space.
He stood before me.
We sat before the fire to warm ourselves.
Behind
At the back of or in the rear of
He sat behind her.
Before
In the presence of.
He performed before the troops in North Africa.
He spoke before a joint session of Congress.
Behind
On the farther side or other side of; beyond
The broom is behind the door.
Before
Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).
The case laid before the panel aroused nothing but ridicule.
Behind
In a place or time that has been passed or left by
Their worries are behind them.
Before
In store for, in the future of (someone).
Behind
Later than
The plane was behind schedule.
Before
In front of, according to a formal system of ordering items.
In alphabetical order, "cat" comes before "dog", "canine" before feline".
Behind
Used to indicate deficiency in performance
Behind us in technological development.
Before
At a higher or greater position than, in a ranking.
An entrepreneur puts market share and profit before quality, an amateur intrinsic qualities before economical considerations.
Behind
Hidden or concealed by
Hatred hidden behind a bland smile.
Before
At an earlier time.
I've never done this before.
Behind
In the background of; underlying
Behind your every action is self-interest.
Before
In advance.
Behind
In a position or attitude of support
The leaders have the army behind them.
Before
At the front end.
Behind
In pursuit of
The police were hard behind the escapees.
Before
In advance of the time when.
Behind
(Informal) The buttocks.
Before
(informal) Rather or sooner than.
I'll die before I'll tell you anything about it.
Behind
At or to the back or far side of.
The children were hiding behind the wall.
The sun went behind the clouds.
Look behind you!
In front of
Before
In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.
His angel, who shall goBefore them in a cloud and pillar of fire.
Behind
(figuratively) Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).
Behind the smile was a cruel intention.
Before
Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; - sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.
Before Abraham was, I am.
Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.
Behind
(figuratively) In the past, from the viewpoint of.
All my problems are behind me.
Before
An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
The golden age . . . is before us.
Behind
Less forward or advanced than; after.
Ahead of
Before
Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.
He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
Behind
After in physical progress or distance.
Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.
Before
In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
Abraham bowed down himself before the people.
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?
Behind
After in developmental progress, score, grade, etc.; inferior to.
I'm ranked sixth in the French class, behind five other pupils.
In the cricket match, England are 120 runs behind India.
Before
Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
If a suit be begun before an archdeacon.
Behind
After in time.
London is nine hours behind Tokyo.
Before
Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
The world was all before them where to choose.
Behind
Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.
Who is behind these terrorist attacks?
Mr Jones was the man behind the redevelopment plan.
Before
On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; - opposed to in the rear.
The battle was before and behind.
Behind
Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.
What is behind this unexpected decision?
Before
In advance.
Behind
In support of.
The republicans are fully behind their candidate.
Before
In time past; previously; already.
You tell me, mother, what I knew before.
Behind
As a result or consequence of.
Before
Earlier; sooner than; until then.
When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before.
Behind
At or in the rear or back part of something.
The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.
Before
Earlier in time; previously;
I had known her before
As I said before
He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier
Her parents had died four years earlier
I mentioned that problem earlier
Behind
In a rearward direction.
We ran and ran, without once looking behind.
Before
At or in the front;
I see the lights of a town ahead
The road ahead is foggy
Staring straight ahead
We couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
With the cross of Jesus marching on before
Behind
So as to come after someone or something in position, distance, advancement, ranking, time, etc.
The slower runners were left a long way behind.
In the cricket match, England finished a long way behind.
The worst thing about autumn is that winter follows behind.
Behind
So as to be still in place after someone or something has departed or ceased to exist.
I couldn't be bothered to carry the ironing board, so I left it behind.
He stayed behind after the war.
He left behind a legacy of death and sorrow.
The island was inundated by the sea, leaving not a trace behind.
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Behind
Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.
Behind
(archaic) Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
Behind
Not advanced to the required or expected degree; overdue or in arrears.
I'm very behind in my schedule.
My employer is two paychecks behind on paying my salary.
Behind
(of a watch or clock) Slow.
My watch is behind by four minutes.
Behind
The rear, back-end.
This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.
She sneaked up on me from behind.
Behind
(informal) The buttocks, bottom, butt.
I was stung on the behind by a wasp.
Behind
(Australian rules football) A one-point score.
Behind
The catcher.
Behind
In the Eton College field game, any of a group of players consisting of two "shorts" (who try to kick the ball over the bully) and a "long" (who defends the goal).
Behind
On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as, behind a door; behind a hill.
A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood.
Behind
Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death.
A small part of what he left behind him.
Behind
Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement.
I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Behind
At the back part; in the rear.
Behind
Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind.
Behind
Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind.
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Forgetting those things which are behind.
Behind
After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.
Leave not a rack behind.
Behind
The backside; the rump.
Behind
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
Behind
Having the lower score or lagging position in a contest;
Behind by two points
The 8th inning found the home team trailing
Behind
In or to or toward the rear;
He followed behind
Seen from behind, the house is more imposing than it is from the front
The final runners were far behind
Behind
Remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from;
When he died he left much unfinished work behind
Left a large family behind
The children left their books behind
He took off with a squeal of tires and left the other cars far behind
Behind
Of timepieces;
The clock is almost an hour slow
My watch is running behind
Behind
In or into an inferior position;
Fell behind in his studies
Their business was lagging behind in the competition for customers
Behind
In debt;
He fell behind with his mortgage payments
A month behind in the rent
A company that has been run behindhand for years
In arrears with their utility bills
Common Curiosities
How does "before" express priority?
"Before" expresses priority by indicating that something is more important or should occur earlier.
What implications does "behind" have in a professional setting?
In a professional setting, "behind" often suggests delays or falling short of expectations, as in behind schedule.
Can "before" and "behind" be used in non-spatial contexts?
Yes, both can refer to temporal aspects as well as metaphorical or narrative contexts.
How is "behind" used to describe support?
"Behind" can denote support or endorsement, such as when a group is behind an idea.
Is "behind" always negative?
While often associated with delays or lower ranking, "behind" can also mean support, as in being behind a proposal.
What is the difference in using "before" and "behind" in storytelling?
"Before" sets up earlier parts of a story, while "behind" reveals hidden details or backgrounds.
What does "stand before" imply?
"Stand before" typically implies standing in front of someone or something, often in a formal or confrontational context.
What does it mean to be "before" in line?
Being "before" in line means being ahead of someone else in sequence.
Can "before" indicate something other than time?
Yes, it can also indicate order, preference, or spatial positioning in front of something.
What does "fall behind" mean?
"Fall behind" means to lag in progress or performance, not keeping up with others.
Can "before" be used in legal contexts?
Yes, "before" is used in legal contexts to indicate prior to a specific event or time, such as appearing before a judge.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Adaxial vs. Abaxial
Next Comparison
Lest vs. UnlessAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
