beyond

I UK [bɪˈjɒnd] / US [bɪˈjɑnd] adverb, preposition ***

Summary:

Beyond can be used in the following ways: - as a preposition (followed by a noun): the world beyond the prison wall - as an adverb (without a following noun): The empire extended to the River Danube and beyond.

1) past a place or outside an area

a) further away than something else

He could see a line of cypress trees and, beyond it, a landscape of red hills.

Traders looked eastwards to India and beyond.

b) outside a particular area

By now Dr Barnard's fame had spread far beyond South Africa.

2) not within the limits of something outside the range or limits of a subject, quality, or activity

Our knowledge does not extend much beyond these few facts.

Scott pushed his men beyond the limits of human endurance.

The government has introduced measures that go far beyond anything that was in their manifesto.

3) except used in negative sentences to mean "except"

I know nothing about him beyond the fact that he used to work for the government.

She had no income beyond what she could earn as a waitress.

4) after a time or age, or above an amount

a) continuing after a particular time or date

We aren't attempting to plan ahead beyond the next two years.

Some people will prefer to continue working beyond 65.

b) more than a particular amount or higher than a particular level

Inflation had risen beyond 10%.

She never went beyond Year 12 in school.

5) not able to be done used for saying that something cannot be done

The situation is already beyond our control.

Martin was living in Brazil, beyond the reach of the British police.

I'm afraid the watch is damaged beyond repair (= it cannot be repaired).

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beyond belief/recognition — used for saying that you cannot believe or recognize something

The centre of Manchester has changed beyond all recognition.

beyond doubt/dispute — used for saying that something is so certain that it cannot be doubted or argued about

Brady's guilt had been proved beyond doubt.

- be beyond someone

II UK [bɪˈjɒnd] / US [bɪˈjɑnd] noun

the (great) beyond — often humorous where some people believe people's spirits go after they die

- the back of beyond