Thread: Native Russian needs native English.

I'm afraid it wont work =(

Originally Posted by Hoax

I'm afraid it wont work =(

This is when some knowledge of linguistics can be really helpful. The difference between "behind" and "beyond" is particularly tricky, since Russian uses за+творительный падеж in phrases like "behind that tree" and "beyond the river" (за этим деревом, за рекой). It seems that one would use behind if the object is something you can hide behind. There is also an element of distance. Phrases such as "beyond the river," "beyond the horizon," and "beyond those mountains" all involve a location that is a very long ways to walk to, and is also quite some distance beyond the object of the preposition. A sentence like "go hide behind that rock" implies that the rock is close enough to walk or run to within a short amount of time.

Wow, that one got away from me.

EDIT: Actually, on second thought, I wonder if that explanation would even make sense to people.