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Beyond

Beyond is a preposition or an adverb.

Beyond referring to place​

Beyond as a preposition means ‘further away in the distance (than something)’:

  • Beyond the door was a narrow corridor that led off to the right.
  • He could see the horse in the field, just beyond the hedge.

As an adverb, beyond is less common and is rather formal:

  • The balcony provided a magnificent view of the river and the mountains beyond.

Beyond meaning ‘outside the limits’​

We use beyond with expressions of time to mean ‘after that time’ or ‘further than that time’:

  • It’s impossible to predict beyond the next five years as regards world economic trends. (we cannot predict further in time than the next five years)

Beyond very often has a meaning of ‘outside the limits of something’. We often use it in the expressions beyond belief and beyond doubt:

  • That the government should want to tax the poor even more heavily is beyond belief. (no one can believe it)
  • Her commitment to her profession is beyond doubt. (no one can doubt it)
  • The mechanic announced that the engine was beyond repair. (it could not be repaired)