Adam
Alex
Benjamin
Emma
Gill
Jade
James
Rebecca
Ronnie
English Prepositions: BELOW & UNDER
Prepositions are hard to master in English. In this lesson, I talk about two very similar prepositions that often cause problems for English learners:below and under. Should you say “He’s below 21 years old” or “He’s under 21 years old”? Are there situations where you can use both prepositions with no difference in meaning? The answer to the second question is YES, but there are situations where you must choose one or the other. To learn more about the similarities and differences between below and under, watch the video, then do the quiz to check your understanding. I hope your score won’t be below average!
Quiz
Test your understanding of this English lesson
Test your understanding of the English lesson by answering these questions. You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.Levels
Lesson Topics
169 COMMENTS
Thank you so much
You’re very welcome.
Very interesting! Thanks a lot!
Thanks for checking out this lesson and for studying with me! Feel free to ask me questions in the comments section below. I do my best to answer as many as I can.
If you want to help and support EngVid because you enjoy our content and want us to keep making it better and better, don’t forget that you can make a financial donation to the site here: http://www.engvid.com/support
Also, if you’d like a free audio book and would like to try the Audible service for free for 30 days, register through this link to get a FREE audio book of your choice: http://audibletrial.com/engvidalex
Thanks for your continued support of EngVid, and good luck with your studies!
Show less
Let me say “Thank you” directly below your comment .The way you explained both prepositions was awesome.
Thanks, mieto. I’m glad it was clear.
Thanks for the class, Alex. I didn’t anticipate you knew Kiki, in 魔女の宅急便 :), I have another question, under and below. I hear both in the song Octopus’s Garden by the Beatles (sung by Ringo). “We would be warm below the storm / In our little hideaway beneath the waves.” The song starts with “I’d like to be under the sea.” What are the differences among them?
This is a pretty good resource to explain the difference: https://www.phrasemix.com/answers/whats-the-difference-between-under-below-beneath-and-underne
And I love Miyazaki. Kiki, Spirited Away, Totoro, and Castle in the Sky are probably my favourite movies by him.
Thanks, Alex, for your answer! And it was so good to know that you know Miyazaki Hayao. Totoro is my favorite.
Hi Alex,
Hope you are doing well.
Thanks for the wonderful class.
One of the questions from the quiz. Which I did not understand. The question is
She scored ______50% on her final exam. In my opinion it should be ‘Under’ because you have told in the video that under is synonym for less than.
Kindly explain the question.
It’s a numerical measurement, so it should be below, but if you say “under” in casual conversation, literally no one will notice. :p
Thank you Alex it is a nice class!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it.
I think #3 is ambiguous. The answer can be “under”.
Here’s examples from Google Books:
“Sixty-five percent of participants scored under 50%.” “Over a third of local NHS organisations scored under 50%.”
You probably meant “She scored _____ average on her final exam.”
I see what you’re saying and I agree that it’s an either/or scenario. Most people won’t care whether you use under or below in this scenario.
Hi Alex! Thanks for the good lesson!
Is it possible to use “underneath” instead of below and under?
This link does a pretty good of explaining the differences: https://www.phrasemix.com/answers/whats-the-difference-between-under-below-beneath-and-underne
I hope it helps!
when t can use the word “beneath”
Here is a good resource to explain a bit more about your question: https://www.phrasemix.com/answers/whats-the-difference-between-under-below-beneath-and-underne
:) Good luck!
Thanks again, Alex!
You’re welcome again, Julio Cesar!
It was a helpful video. Thanks Alex for this one. ♥
You’re very welcome. Thank you for studying with me, Sanju.
You’re very welcome Alex !!! ??
Thank Alex, good class. My score was BELOW 70%, I’m UNDER my goal score. I need study more…
“I need to study more.”
Honestly, in casual conversation, no one will notice this mistake, so worry about it on this test, but don’t worry about it as much in everyday situations.
Thanks teacher….!!
You’re welcome!
for “She scored __________ 50% on her final exam.”
we use below instead of under, I observe when we talk about scores, we use below, is it correct?
You got it. :) It’s a numerical value/measurement. However, if you use “under” in conversation, it’s not a critical error.
Definitely my score wasn’t below average.I got 100! thank god or even better thank YOU teacher Alex!,however,I’ll keep practicing to make sure I really got it!
Keep it up!
I like youre t-shots with Miyazaki’s moves and you too!
By the way i’ve got 10.
Nice job! What are your favourite Miyazaki movies? You can probably tell that I love Kiki, Totoro, and Spirited Away. I also adore Castle in the Sky.
excellent ! I clearly understood the use of this words, really easy. Thanks
Nice! Good luck with your studies. :)
I got 9 out of 10 ,thanks Alex for this one, it’s helpful.
Good work! Keep going!
Thank a lot, it’s really interesting lesson.
“Thanks a lot. It’s a really interesting lesson.”
You’re welcome!
I’ve got 8/10. Those prepositions are really tricky. Thanks for the lesson Alex!
You’re welcome! Prepositions are annoying in every language.
Hi I’ve got 9/10, well i’ts pretty good but not perfect, so I’m going keep practicing. Thanks for your clear explanation!!!
That’s quite good. Thanks for studying with me!
Thank you so much Alex I like this listen because the minutes is shorter not long
LOL. Thanks! Some of my lessons are longer or shorter depending on the content.
Thank you
You’re welcome. Thanks for checking out the lesson.
Your shirt under the jacket is cute. I liked the movie “Kiki’s Delivery Service” :)
It’s one of my favourite Miyazaki movies. It’s great for young girls too.
Thank you, Alex
You’re very welcome!
Thanks a lot Alex!!!
You teach hard topics making them so easy to understand ;)
I do my best. As always, thanks for your feedback, knopfler!
Hi Alex, tx for the lesson.
I suppose under, in the meaning of covered, can also be used when a situation is ‘under’ control, correct?
bye
You got it. There are plenty of “under” expressions.
Under arrest
Under control
Under siege
Under the impression
And more.
Thank you so much Alex. It is a very useful clarification.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
thank teatcher .you are perfect
“Thanks, teacher. You’re perfect.”
That’s very kind. Thank you!
Useful lesson
Thanks! I’m glad it had some benefit. :)
I’m wondering why it is “She scored below 50% on her final exam” if it means “She scored LESS THAN 50% on her final exam”. It should be UNDER, shouldn’t it?
because 50% is a measurment and not an enumeration.
You got it.
Thank you Alex ..
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
I got 80 :(
That’s still good. The most important part is that you’ve learned a little more.
thanks a lot
You’re very welcome.
it was a good lesson, but the picture was not clear enough. if you do favor and solve this problem in future.
I can’t control that, unfortunately, but I’ll let our editing team know.
Hi Alex, thanks for this explanation, now it is clearer for me.
That’s great!
Thanks a lot Alex.
Your accent is very clear.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Alex! ..^^..
You’re welcome. Thanks for studying with EngVid!
I’m wrong 6th. Could you explain why we use both?
Something could be below or under a mirror…basically, lower than the mirror.
Thank you Alex.
You’re welcome. Thanks for studying with EngVid. :)
Thank you Alex.
Any time. Thanks for studying with me.
I think, I should practice this lesson more. It’s complicated
A little bit. You can use them interchangeably for most things. You just have to pay attention to the exceptions I mention.
Got 80/10. Thanks Alex.
Nice job, Annie. Thanks for showing up for this lesson!
English is not difficult at all if you are taught by someone like you. Thanks for being such a great and cool teacher.
I have learnt a lot since I began watching your videos and since I live near the border between Mexico and USA,I cross everyday and put into practice new words and vocabulary with my native speakers friends
That’s fantastic! These are my favourite types of messages to read. :)
Thank you Alix so much , you are great
My pleasure. Thank you for your support and for studying with me.
That was totally clear. I have just subscribed to your YT channel. Thanks a lot!
Welcome to my channel! Thanks for checking out the video and let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much, Alex.
Very interesting as always, for learners like me!
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching.
hi Alex, maybe you have to give a prezent for make us more interest doing your quiz
LOL. Why? Knowledge is the prize!
Thank Alex. Got 9/10
“Thanks, Alex.” :) You’re welcome. Nice job!
Thanks, Alex! I wish in the next lesson to describe the meaning between like up and over, reduce and decrease, wish and hope… etc.
Hmm, I’ll see if I can turn this into something.
Hi Alex,
thanks for a new lesson on prepositions which are really tricky to use correctly. There are another preposition: BENEATH and UNDERNEATH. Have they got the same meaning?
Hi Rapok,
This page has a pretty good explanation of these words in addition to Below and Under: https://www.phrasemix.com/answers/whats-the-difference-between-under-below-beneath-and-underne
I hope it help to clear things up!
Thank you Alex.
You’re very welcome. Thanks for clicking. :)
WOW 80!
Nice one! Keep it up. The next step is using the language in conversation.
Je vais réécouter cette bonne leçon et je ferai moins d’erreurs au quizz. Merci Alex.
De rien! Je pense que c’est un bonne idee!
the best
Thanks, otmane. :) That’s very kind.
cool :)
Thanks, Magdulska!
shut up
sorry I was angry
Hi Alex! O got 100!! This class was awesome. As ever, difficult themes turn easy with you. Thanks very much!!
That’s awesome! :) Nice job. Good luck with your studies!
Thank very much, it was very helpful. I got 100 % of the quiz!
Nice job! Keep it up and good luck with your studies!
Thanks for the lesson. I’m going to improve my English with yours lessons
“with your lessons.” Welcome to EngVid! :)
A thousand thanks!
A thousand you’re welcomes! :)
can i get your contacts?
thank you so much alex!
thanks a lot.
thank you alex a have summary about your lesson in sentences
under
the must age to take driver license is 18 old you can’t take it if you’re under 18 old
please don’t take this medicament if you’re under 18 old
below
the sea surface below from The earth’s surface
the temperature degree is below 0
what is your opinion sir ?
Thank you Alex for that awesome lesson. I thought I had understood this lesson very well but I got only 8 out of 10. For me, it isn’t automatic, unfortunately I don’t master these prepositions yet. Good weekend. Marie-Claude
thank you alex
Thanks a lot! Your lessons are in our favor!
Thank you very much.
thank you do much Alex.
thanks for easy explaining that’s help me indeed to improve in englih
my first time. Very well
Great way of teaching
I appreciate your efforts
Thanks alot
Thank you.Explained very well.
Thanks you!!! Great lesson
thanks alex 9/10…
Thanks ???
Thanks for the lesson, it was very enrichful
You Nailed it. Thank you
Thanks Alex!…very useful lesson.
Got 100/100!
Alex, you’re a amazing teacher!) Thanks a lot)
I got 8 out of 10
Thank you Alex! My score was below 100 but I’m happy anyway!
Thanks you! I’ve got 100! I’ve finally understood this difference. :)
It’s quite challenging, but I learnt a lot. Thanks, Alex!
you explained very well…
i’ve got 9/10.. good lesson.
you are awesome ..i like ur class.tnx a lot
when you play hearthstone, if i say to someone “you can
surrender under / below 15health” should i say under or below in this situation?
Thank you so much
Thank you so much!!
Thanks
Thank you Alex for teaching me on how to use prepositions I’m really grateful for your support and now I can speak fluent English.
Thank you Alex now I can speak fluent English.I’m really grateful.
Thank you so much Alex I more understand after look you VDO ^_^
thank you Mr. Alex for the lessonm, I’m really grateful.
Thank you sir!!!
Thank you Mr. Alex for a good lesson.
Thans a lot Mr. Alex.
A million thanks for your fabulous lesson sir!It’s pretty difficult but I have to keep practicing.It’s very clear and more informative.I got under 80% of the score in this quiz.
thank you for the lesson. I understood where to use below and under.
I watched this video twice on May 24, 2021, and I took the quiz after watching it once. I got eight correct out of 10.
It was Very interesting! Thanks a lot!
Thank you. I got 7 of 10.