English Profile

beyond · preposition

/biːˈɑnd/Full view

beyond (DISTANCE)

B2 on the other side of something

Dictionary example:

Beyond the river is a small town.

Learner example:

Suddenly she recognized something red, beyond a tree and covered with some leaves. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

beyond (TIME)

B1 continuing after a particular time or date

Dictionary examples:

Few people live beyond the age of a hundred.

We cannot allow the work to continue beyond the end of the year.

Learner example:

You should take a [break] every two hours because, beyond two hours, your mind cannot record what you are learning. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

beyond my/our, etc. control

B2 not able to be changed by me/us, etc.

Dictionary example:

Tonight's performance has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

Learner example:

This is a story about an event that turned out to be beyond my control. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

beyond (INVOLVING MORE)

C1 involving or affecting more things, people, etc., than the ones you have talked about

Dictionary examples:

My job goes beyond teaching facts – my aim is to get children to think for themselves.

You should try to develop interests beyond the family.

Learner example:

Finally, I suggest that the magazine could go beyond sport activities and interviews by including book reviews and news about the latest films. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

beyond (AMOUNT)

C2 in a degree or amount that is greater than can be done, described, understood, etc

Dictionary examples:

That old computer is beyond repair.

Her singing is beyond compare.

beyond description/question

Learner example:

It was beyond description how terribly scared I was. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Korean)

sth is beyond me

C2 something is impossible for you to understand

Dictionary examples:

How they can live in such chaos is beyond me.

It's beyond me why anyone would want to buy that house.

Learner example:

How these people dismiss our educational system, which in my opinion is exceptional, is beyond me. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

beyond (a) doubt

C2 completely certain and without any doubt

Dictionary example:

It is beyond doubt that she the best students I’ve ever taught.

Learner example:

What I would regard as being my most treasured possession is beyond doubt my precious collection of books. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

beyond a/the shadow of a doubt

C2 If something is true beyond a shadow of a doubt, it is certainly true.

Dictionary example:

He convinced me , but it hasn't been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Learner example:

It has been established beyond a shadow of a doubt that the growth in world population is one of the most compelling problems the Earth is facing. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

beyond your wildest dreams

C2 bigger or better than anything you could imagine or hope for

Dictionary example:

The house was beyond my wildest dreams.

Learner example:

[It] was beyond my wildest dreams. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

beyond · adverb

/biːˈɑnd/

beyond (PLACE)

C1 at or past the far side of something

Dictionary example:

From the top of the hill we could see our house and the woods beyond.

Learner example:

The airport-bus will take you to the center of Ostersund where I live and even beyond. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

beyond (TIME)

C2 continuing after a particular time or date

Dictionary example:

The dispute is likely to continue into March and beyond.

Learner example:

The fact of living longer allow[s] people to share part of their lives with their children, their grandchildren and sometimes even one generation beyond. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)