What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
behind
Example
The cat is hiding behind the couch. [behind: preposition]
Example
He fell behind in his studies and needs to catch up. [behind: adverb]
backward
Example
She took a step backward to avoid the oncoming car. [backward: adverb]
Example
The country's education system is still backward compared to others. [backward: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Behind is more commonly used than backward in everyday language. Behind is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while backward is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between behind and backward?
Both behind and backward can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, behind is more commonly used and considered more formal, while backward is less common and may be more informal.
