English Language Learners Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning English. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
Both rear and back mean the back of something. But is there a distinction between the two phrases: rear view and back view? Since rear view is most frequently used in rear-view mirror, I naturally think that
But I am not sure whether there is such a distinction, or whether this distinction (if there is) is strictly observed.
The distinction is similar to what you stated:
Rear view typically means looking toward the back, either directly or indirectly (even though you might not be facing the back). The "rear view mirror" in a car enables the driver to look toward the back while still facing front. It's also used figuratively when referring to things that happened in the past.
Back view would typically mean looking directly at the back. It doesn't mean that you're in the back, however. You could be in the front and have a "back view," which means you can see the back from the front.
The meanings are completely different when you're talking about body parts.
