Difference : under, below, underneath and beneath

Today's English
July 19th, 2017

Though we use under and below interchangeably, there are significant differences between these two.

1.  Age? - use under, not below
A. If you are under 18, you cannot vote.
B. Children under 5 won't be allowed to play here.

2. Directly under another? Use under.  Not directly under? Use below.

A. Please put the ladder under the window. (Directly under)
B. Your record note has been kept under mine. (Directly under)
C. Don't write anything below the line. (Nowhere below the line)
D. The sun disappeared below the horizon. (Somewhere below the horizon)

3. Not only under but also covered by something? Use under.
A. He had worn a red shirt under his sweater. (Not below his sweater)
B. I could manage the winter under this blanket. (Not below this blanket)

4. Controlled by? Governed by? Use under.

A. India was under British rule for several years.
B. There are nearly 12 staff members working under me.
C. It's illegal to smoke here under this Act.

5. In progress? Still going on? Use under.

A. Her house is still under construction. (Not below construction)
B. His case is still under investigation.

6. Parts of the body? Use below.

A. Wearing skirts below the knee is compulsory.
B. A scar was visible just below his chest.

7. Temperature and height? Use below.

A. The temperature was below 40 degree.
B. The whole city was below the sea level.

8. Underneath is slightly more emotional than under and is mostly used to refer to the opposite nature

A. He is bad-tempered but soft-hearted underneath.
B. Underneath your father's anger, there is tremendous love and care for you.

9. Beneath is more formal than other terms and is used to mean low social position and status.
A. She married a man beneath her. (=under her status)
B. Don't behave like a king thinking that everybody is beneath you.

Do you know how Shakespeare has used the term beneath?

"The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
- Shakespeare in "The Merchant of Venice"