Difference Between Below and Under

What is the Difference Between Below and Under

Summary: Difference Between Below and Under is that Below is a preposition and an adverb. While Under is a preposition. Under can also be used as an adverb.

 

Below

Definition of Below

Below is a preposition and an adverb.

• Below is used to express something/someone in a lower position
• Below is used to mention something later (in writing)
• Below is used to express something less in amount/rate/level
• Below is used to show a lower place
• Below is also referred to someone unworthy
• Below also expresses something lower in size/number
• Below is also used to describe lower temperature
• Below is used to describe something at the bottom/underneath
• Below is also referred to someone underage.

Examples of Below

Used to express someone’s Lower Position

1. From Eiffel tower the people below looked like minions.
2. This stony path runs below mountain.

Used to mention something later in Writing

1. Please send this parcel to the address below
2. Answer all these questions below only in two lines.

Used to express something lower in amount/rate/level

1. In Kotli the rainfall level has fallen below average
2. KSE shares have fallen below 40-index.

Used to show Lower Places

1. The location of some cities in South Asia is below sea level
2. The City of Skardu is located below the mountain ranges of Karakoram and Western Himalayas.

Referred to someone unworthy

1. Unbelievable she has fallen even below the level of a cruel witch
2. Adam’s such petty attitude is below morality.

Used to express something low in number/size

1. The number of students in Adrian’s class is below thirty
2. The number of storey’s in the building below is less than fifty.

Used to describe Lower Temperature

1. At night temperature falls below 13 Celsius in Neelum valley
2. The temperature in Arctic Ocean always drops below freezing point.

Used to describe something at Bottom/Underneath

When the boat dipped below the surface of the river she screamed

The drowning boy was stuck in a cave at the bottom of the river below.

Referred to Someone Underage

1. This medicine is not suitable for children below 15 years
2. Candidates below 40 years are not eligible for the post of CEO.

Pronunciation of Below

/bɪˈləʊ/     /bɪˈloʊ/

Etymology

From Middle English bilooghe, from Middle English bi “by” + looghe “low.

Under

 

Definition of Under

Under is a preposition. Under can also be used as an adverb.

• Under is used to refer lower position
• Under is used to show that something is covered
• Under is used to show capacity
• Under is used for obligation
• Under is used to show things are being affected
• Under is used for subjection
• Under is used for classification
• Under is used for authority
• Under is used for agreement

Examples of Under

Used to refer lower Position

1. I am standing under the roof.

Used to show that Something is Covered

1. I placed thermometer under my arm pit
2. His body is buried under several feet of sand.

Used to show Capacity

1. The capacity of this jug is under 1 liter.

Used for Obligation

1. Under this contract company should have to fulfill the needs of employees.

Used to show things are being Affected

1. Many animal species are under threat of extinction.

Used for Subjection

1. Doctor put the man under for physical examination.

Used for Classification

1. Rhizopus is listed under kingdom fungi.

Used for Authority

1. I am working under new manager
2. Under dictatorship of general the country’s economy destroyed.

Used for Agreement

1. Under agreement, you are bound to work for 10 hours daily.

Tip:

There is a similar difference between above and over. Above is used in measurements of temperature and height.

Over is used to express ideas such as ‘older than’ and ‘more than’.

 

Under vs Below