The difference between “Beside” and “Besides”

In English, there are two similar words that often cause confusion among learners: “beside” and “besides.” Despite their similar spelling and pronunciation, these words have entirely different meanings and uses.

• “Beside” [bɪˈsaɪd] means “next to” or “by the side of” and is used exclusively to indicate physical location.
• “Besides” [bɪˈsaɪdz] can mean “in addition to” (as a preposition) or “furthermore” (as an adverb) and is used to add or exclude information.

If you’ve ever wondered which word to use in a specific context, this article will help clarify these nuances. Learn how to correctly use “beside” and “besides” with examples and detailed explanations.

All about the word “Beside” in English

Meaning of “Beside”

“Beside” is a preposition that indicates the physical location of one object or person next to another. It means “next to,” “near,” or “by the side of” and is used to describe the position or location of one thing in relation to another.

Examples:

• The chair is beside the table.
• She stood beside her friend during the ceremony.
• There’s a small park beside the river.

Grammar and usage of “Beside”

“Beside” is always used as a preposition and has a singular meaning—indicating physical proximity. It is placed before nouns or pronouns that denote the object or person located next to something else.

Sentence Structure:

Beside + [noun/pronoun]

Examples:

• My dog sleeps beside me every night.
• The keys are beside the phone on the desk.
• The bus stop is right beside the supermarket.

Difference detween “Beside” and “Next to”

While “beside” and “next to” can both indicate location, there is a subtle difference in their nuances:

• “Beside” generally refers to being near an object, without necessarily implying direct contact or a specific linear position.
• “Next to” usually implies closer proximity, often suggesting that the two objects are almost touching.

Comparison Examples:

• She sat beside her brother. — This indicates that they were sitting near each other, but not necessarily in close contact.
• She sat next to her brother. — This suggests that they were sitting very close, possibly in direct contact.

Phrases and idioms with “Beside”

There are also idiomatic expressions with “beside” that carry figurative meanings:

• “Beside the point” — “irrelevant,” “not related to the main topic.” This phrase is used to indicate that certain information is not pertinent to the central issue.
  • Example: Your argument is beside the point.
• “Beside oneself” — “to be overwhelmed with emotion,” typically used with emotions like “anger,” “joy,” “grief.”
  • Example: She was beside herself with anger.

Key takeaways about “Beside”

• “Beside” always indicates physical proximity to something or someone.
• It is used exclusively as a preposition in constructions with nouns and pronouns.
• It can be replaced with “next to” in some contexts, but the nuances of meaning should be considered.

All about the word “Besides” in English

Meaning of “Besides”

“Besides” is a versatile word that can function both as a preposition and an adverb, carrying two primary meanings:

• As a preposition: It means “except” or “in addition to.”
• As an adverb: It means “furthermore,” “also,” or “in any case.”

This word is used to either add extra information or exclude something from a category.

Grammar and usage of “Besides”

“Besides” can be used in two distinct grammatical roles— as a preposition and as an adverb.

“Besides” as a Preposition

When “besides” is used as a preposition, it adds an additional element to a list or excludes something from a particular group. In this case, “besides” translates to “except” or “in addition to.”

Sentence Structure:

Besides + [noun/pronoun/gerund]

Examples:

• Besides English, she speaks French and German.
• There was nothing else to do besides waiting.
• Besides studying, she also works part-time.

“Besides” as an Adverb

When used as an adverb, “besides” provides additional information to what has already been mentioned. In this context, “besides” can be understood as “furthermore,” “in addition,” or “anyway.”

Sentence Structure:

[Sentence], besides.

Examples:

• I don’t want to go to the party. Besides, I have a lot of work to do.
• She wasn’t feeling well. Besides, the weather was terrible.
• It’s too late to start cooking now. Besides, we can always order takeout.

Phrases and idioms with “Besides”

Although “besides” is already a multi-functional word, there are some fixed expressions where it has a specific meaning:

• “Besides the point” — meaning “irrelevant” or “not related to the main topic.”
  • Example: Arguing about the price now is besides the point.
• “Besides that” — meaning “in addition to that.”
  • Example: It was a good deal, and besides that, the service was excellent.

Key takeaways about “Besides”

• “Besides” can function as both a preposition and an adverb, with different meanings depending on the context.
• As a preposition, it means “except” or “in addition to.”
• As an adverb, it means “furthermore” or “in addition.”
• Understanding these differences will help you use “besides” more accurately in your language practice.

This knowledge will enable you to use “besides” correctly in various situations, whether adding or excluding information, and will help you make your statements more precise and expressive.

What are the key differences between “Beside” and “Besides”?

• “Beside” is exclusively used as a preposition and means “next to” or “by” (in a physical sense).
• “Besides” can be both a preposition and an adverb, meaning “except,” “in addition,” or “furthermore,” depending on whether you are adding or excluding information.