Behind vs. Between

Attribute	Behind	Between
Position	Located at the back of something	Located in the middle of two things
Direction	Indicates a position at the rear of something	Indicates a position in the middle of two objects or points
Relationship	Implies a sense of distance or separation from the front	Implies a sense of being in the middle or in the midst of two objects
Usage	Commonly used to describe a position relative to an object or point	Commonly used to describe a position between two objects or points

Definition

Behind and between are two prepositions that are commonly used in the English language. Behind typically refers to something that is located at the back of an object or person. For example, "The car is parked behind the house." On the other hand, between is used to describe the position of something in the middle of two objects or people. For instance, "The cat is sitting between the two chairs."

Usage

Behind is often used to indicate a position that is not visible from the front. It can also imply a sense of secrecy or concealment. For example, "The thief was hiding behind the bushes." Between, on the other hand, is used to show a relationship or connection between two or more things. It can also indicate a sense of inclusivity or division. For instance, "The negotiations between the two countries were successful."

Direction

Behind typically implies a sense of movement away from the front or center of something. It can suggest a sense of distance or separation. For example, "The children were playing behind the school." Between, on the other hand, suggests a sense of movement towards the middle or center of something. It can indicate a sense of closeness or connection. For instance, "The bridge spans between the two mountains."

Relationship

Behind is often used to describe a position that is subordinate or secondary to something else. It can imply a sense of support or protection. For example, "The loyal assistant stood behind his boss." Between, however, is used to show a relationship that is equal or balanced between two or more things. It can indicate a sense of harmony or equilibrium. For instance, "There was a strong bond between the two siblings."

Examples

• Behind: The sun sets behind the mountains.
• Between: The cat is sitting between the two dogs.
• Behind: The truth was hidden behind a veil of lies.
• Between: The friendship between the two neighbors grew stronger over time.

Conclusion

Behind and between are two prepositions that have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. While behind typically refers to a position at the back or away from the front, between is used to describe a position in the middle or connecting two objects. Understanding the differences between these two prepositions can help improve clarity and precision in communication.