This graphic is for learners who want to distinguish "under" from "underneath."
These two terms are often interchangeable in English, but we notice one distinction that we'd like to point out: "Underneath" feels like one thing is covering another thing, perhaps even completely. In the graphic below, the dog is partially under the table, but the cat is most certainly underneath the table. This is because from above the table, the cat cannot be seen. Similarly, the black key is underneath the lamp, but the green key is merely under the lamp, on the floor.
Similarly, in this illustration, the money is underneath the painting because the painting is obscuring the money from view. One could also say that the money is "behind the painting." The fly is under, below, or beneath the painting.
We hope this helps!
Gabo y Goyo 🧔👴
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Under vs. underneath in English
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Listen to Episode 29, "Under, below, etc." right here:
