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Session 29

'Beside' and 'besides' look very similar–but they're not the same! Find out how with Phil in this English In A Minute.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Beside vs Besides

'Beside' and 'besides' look very similar–but they're not the same! Find out how with Phil in this English In A Minute.

Watch the video and complete the activity

Show transcriptHide transcript

Phil

Hi, I'm Phil, and I'm going to tell you the difference between beside and besides.

And it's one small letter, but it's quite a big difference.

Beside (with no 's') is a preposition, and we usually use it to talk about physical position.

So you can say: Put the chair beside the table.

Or: Come and sit beside me.

It's like a more formal version of 'next to'

Now, besides (with an s) is either a preposition or an adverb, and is often used to add information.

Besides knowing grammar well, you need to have a good vocabulary.

You should do something else besides studying.

Here it's like 'as well as'

As an adverb, it's often used to add a more important or stronger point

I'm going to practise now because I've got time and besides, I need to!

It's like a less-formal version of 'moreover'

So, besides remembering that beside is for physical position, remember that besides is for adding information.

Beside vs Besides

Beside is a preposition. We usually use it to talk about physical position. It is a more formal version of 'next to'.

  • There was a book on the table beside him.
  • I sat beside her on the bench.

Besides can be either a preposition or an adverb, and is often used to add information.

  • Besides enjoying reading, she loves riding horses.
  • You should do something else besides playing video games.

As an adverb, it's often used to add a more important or stronger point

  • I want to go and lie down. Besides, I have a headache.
  • I don't want to drive now. Besides, it's really dark.

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