Prepositions, Under/Below

Idiomas

13/08/2015

Prepositions are something that people have great difficulty learning even if you are an intermediate student. The most common prepositions are IN/ON and AT but today I would like to explain the difference between under and below.

Under and below

1. Under is used much more widely. When you’re not sure which word to use, use under. It is more likely to be correct. 

2. All the common uses of below are related to the idea of “lower or less than,” as in these examples:

• The sun disappeared below the horizon. 
• Temperatures were below normal all week. 
• The game is suitable for children below the age of 10. 
• There are many more fish below the surface of the water.
• The temperature is 10 degrees below celsius.

3. Under can have the same meaning as below, as in these examples:

• We sat under a tree and rested. (Or, We sat below a tree and rested.)
• Draw a line under each word you don't know. (Or, Draw a line below each word you don't know.)

   But under can also mean “guided or controlled by,” as in: 

• The cafe is under new management. 
• The army captured three forts while under the general's command. 
• Under the terms of the lease, rent will be due on the first of each month.

4. Under is often used in expressions in which it has a special meaning. Look at the most common collocations;

• under stress
• under pressure
• under someone's control
• under someone's influence
• under consideration
• under construction
• under a spell