Beside vs. Besides: Clearing Confusion in Grammar Usage

Besides and beside are two words that are often confused. Understanding their grammatical roles will enable you to express yourselve accurately. Let's look at the distinctions between these terms. Grammatically, besides is an adverb or a preposition, and beside a preposition.

Beside

The word "Beside" functions as a preposition and signifies being in close proximity or next to something or someone. Consider the following examples where Beside means 'next to':

1. "A house beside the sea": This implies that the house is situated in close proximity to the sea.
2. "She sat beside her friend": Here, "beside" denotes the physical position of sitting next to her friend.

More examples of 'Beside' (preposition - proximity or physical location):

1. "The cat curled up beside the fireplace": This sentence illustrates the cat's physical position next to the fireplace, emphasising its proximity to the warmth.
2. "The park bench is beside the playground": Here, "beside" indicates the location of the park bench, highlighting its proximity to the playground.
3. "He stood beside his car, waiting for his friend": In this example, "beside" emphasises the man's physical position next to his car while he awaits his friend's arrival.
4. "The library is located beside the school": This sentence showcases the spatial relationship between the library and the school, indicating their close proximity to each other.
5. "She kept her phone beside her bed": Here, "beside" suggests the placement of the phone next to the bed, emphasising its convenient and accessible location.

Besides

When used as a preposition, "Besides" means in addition to or apart from. Consider the following examples:

1. "What are you studying besides English?": In this case, "besides" implies studying subjects other than English. It conveys the idea of additional subjects being pursued (in addition to).
2. "Who was there besides Jon?": Here, "besides" suggests the presence of individuals other than Jon. It conveys the concept of exclusion or individuals apart from Jon (apart from).

As an adverb, besides means as well or furthermore. It adds information or emphasises a point. Consider the following example:

• "He was scruffy and badly prepared. Besides, he turned up late for the interview.": In this instance, "besides" is used to introduce an additional point. It emphasizes the candidate's untidy appearance and lack of preparation. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that the candidate arrived late for the interview.

More examples of 'Besides' (preposition - inclusion or exclusion):

1. "Besides mathematics, she excels in art and music": This sentence indicates that, in addition to mathematics, the person possesses exceptional skills in art and music, emphasising the inclusion of multiple subjects.
2. "We invited Sarah and David besides our close friends": Here, "besides" implies that Sarah and David were invited in addition to the close friends, emphasising their inclusion among the attendees.
3. "Besides the cake, there will be cookies and pastries at the party": This example suggests that, apart from the cake, other sweet treats like cookies and pastries will be available, emphasising the inclusion of various dessert options.
4. "Besides the rainy weather, we had a great time on our vacation": In this sentence, "besides" indicates the exclusion of rainy weather as a negative factor, emphasizing the overall enjoyment of the vacation.
5. "I can't come to the meeting tonight; besides, I have a prior commitment": Here, "besides" conveys the exclusion of the meeting as an additional reason, emphasising the preexisting commitment that prevents attendance.

More examples of 'Besides' (adverb - as well or furthermore):

1. "She is talented and intelligent. Besides, she is also kind-hearted": This sentence introduces additional qualities about the person, emphasising that besides being talented and intelligent, she is also kind-hearted.
2. "The hotel offers luxurious amenities. Besides, it has a stunning view of the ocean": Here, "besides" adds information about the hotel, emphasising its appealing features, such as the luxurious amenities and the beautiful ocean view.
3. "The restaurant not only serves delicious food but also provides excellent customer service. Besides, it has a cozy ambiance": In this example, "besides" highlights another positive aspect of the restaurant—the cozy ambiance—alongside the delicious food and excellent customer service.
4. "The book is not only informative but also entertaining. Besides, it is beautifully illustrated": Here, "besides" adds another positive aspect to the book, emphasising its entertaining nature and the presence of beautiful illustrations.
5. "He has a successful career in finance. Besides, he actively contributes to charitable causes": This sentence showcases that, in addition to his successful finance career, the person engages in philanthropy, emphasising his charitable contributions.

Summary

"Beside" is a preposition that signifies proximity or physical location, while "besides" serves as a preposition indicating inclusion or exclusion. Additionally, "besides" can function as an adverb to add information or emphasize a point. By discerning these nuances, we can effectively express ourselves and communicate with clarity.