Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jobbynext]

Hi! how are you? I recently saw the word "underneath" in a song. I find its meaning it's very similar to under. Is there any difference between them. If their meaning are the same, which I should use? which is more common and which is less used? Thanks for your help!

[Brian Boyd]

They certainly are very similar.

I often use underneath when something is hidden from view below something else, but under could be used for that too.

I think of underneath is meaning the same as covered.

I'll be interested to see what other people say about this one. In the past, my students have asked me what the difference between under and below is too.

Brian

[advoca]

May I throw in something?

Underneath is an adverb and has 4 senses:

1. underneath -- (on the lower or downward side; "a chest of drawers all scratched underneath")
2. underneath -- (lower down on the page; "There are diagrams with figures underneath")
3. underneath -- (beneath by way of support; "That house has a good foundation underneath")
4. underneath -- (under or below an object or a surface; "We could see the original painting underneath")


Under can also be used as an adverb and has 2 senses:

1. nether, under -- (located below or beneath something else; "She was wearing sexy nether garments"; "I was examining the under parts of the machine")
2. under -- (lower in rank, power, or authority; "He is an under secretary")

Under can be used as an adverb and has 8 senses:

1. under -- (down to defeat, death, or ruin; "Enron has now gone under")
2. under -- (through a range downward; Children six and under will be admitted free")
3. under -- (into unconsciousness; "The anesthetic will put the patient under")
4. under -- (in or into a state of subordination or subjugation; "We must keep our disappointment under control")
5. under -- (below some quantity or limit; "The cost is fifty dollars or under.")
6. under -- (below the horizon; "The sun went under.")
7. under -- (down below; "Get under cover quickly!")
8. under, below -- (further down; "See under for further discussion")

In example 8 under is synonymous with below.

Below is an adverb and has 5 senses

1. below, at a lower place, to a lower place, beneath -- (in or to a place that is lower) �The Captain went below to his cabin.�
2. below (at a later place; "See my comments below")
3. below, = infra -- ((in writing) see below; "vide infra")
4. below = downstairs, down the stairs, on a lower floor, below -- (�The electrical department is on a floor below;� "The servants live below")
5. under, below -- (further down; "See under for further discussion")

I hope this helps.

[Brian Boyd]

Wow! I doubt you'll get a more detailed explanation than that!