That was the way that I learned (and I think it works well): We can use "under" when one object is covered by another (The dog is under the blanket) We can use "below" when one object is in a lower position than the other (The dog is under the table) Underneath and beneath are more formal words for “under” and “below.”

URL: http://www.phrasemix.com/answers/whats-the-difference-between-under-below-beneath-and-underne 1. "Under" is the most popular is probably the safest choice. "Under" is the default choice. In most situations, you can replace any of the other words with "under". Compared to "below", "under" is more often used to talk about 3-dimensional objects. For example, you'd talk about something being under a table, under a book, etc. "Under" is also good for talking about layers of something: I have on a t-shirt under my jacket. You can use "under" for numbers: I did it in under 7 hours. We were able to raise just under fifteen thousand dollars. "Under" also shows up in expressions like: under stress under pressure under someone's control under someone's influence under consideration under construction under a spell Compared to "under", you use "below" more often to talk about the level of something on a flat plane. Use "below" to talk about the level of something, like a temperature: It's supposed to drop below freezing tonight. In writing, you can use "below" to talk about something later on: Please read the instructions below before you begin. The opposite of "below" is "above". "Beneath" is more formal than "under": beneath the blankets beneath the surface of the water Beneath it all, he still loves her. When you're talking about human relationships, being "beneath" someone is very negative. Things or people that are "beneath" you are disgusting. They're too low for someone with your social position: She acts like some kind of princess, like we're all beneath her. "Underneath" has a kind of casual and expressive feeling. You can choose "underneath" instead of "under" to explain the location of something with a little more emphasis. A: You found it! Where was it? B: It was underneath the sofa. Think of "underneath" as a more emotional, exciting version of "under".