Cool MateBehind vs Bums
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Behind
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Bums
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: BehindMost common: Behind
| Behind | Bums | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈhaɪnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈhaɪnd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //bʌmz//🇺🇸 //bʌmz// |
| Meaning | At the back of something. | Buttocks or rear part of the body. |
| Example | The cat is hiding behind the curtain. | She fell and landed on her bums. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | preposition | |
| Collocations | behind the scenes, behind closed doors, fall behind | show your bums, sore bums, big bums, cute bums, fall on your bums |
| Antonyms | in front of, ahead | persistence, success |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'behind' with 'in front of', Using 'behind' without a noun after it, Misplacing 'behind' in a sentence (e.g., 'I am behind the door' instead of 'Behind the door, I am') | Confused with 'bums' as in lazy people., Misunderstanding the plural form when referring to a single person., Using it in formal situations where 'buttocks' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'behind' to describe location or position. It's neutral and suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in overly formal writing. | Primarily used in informal contexts when talking about the human body. Avoid in formal settings. Can refer to people as well as the body part. |
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Frequently asked questions: Behind vs Bums
What's the difference between Behind and Bums?
Behind: At the back of something. Bums: Buttocks or rear part of the body.
Which is more formal: Behind and Bums?
Behind is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Behind and Bums?
Behind is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Behind: The cat is hiding behind the curtain. Bums: She fell and landed on her bums.
Can I use Behind and Bums interchangeably?
Not always. Behind and Bums are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.