The Fine Line Between ‘Beside’ and ‘Besides’: Grammar Essentials
It is truly remarkable that two words that are so similar – just one letter differentiating one from the other – can actually have different meanings. This similarity can be confusing for students, leading them to misuse the words in their writing. When editing an essay paper, it is important to carefully read through the paper to ensure that all words are used properly, as this can make a huge difference in the overall quality of the paper.
Still, you are going to need to figure out the proper use of besides or beside correctly, particularly when writing academic papers. This PapersOwl’s guide will provide you with the proper guidelines to ensure that you are able to use them properly, depending on the specific situation.
“Beside” and “Besides” are two words that often cause confusion in English due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. However, they have distinct meanings and uses. “Beside,” a preposition, is used to denote physical proximity, implying ‘next to’ or ‘at the side of.’ For example, when we say, “The cat sat beside the fire,” we mean that the cat was sitting next to the fire. This usage is straightforward and relates primarily to physical location.
On the other hand, “Besides” can function as both a preposition and an adverb, and it carries a meaning of addition or an extra point. As a preposition, it means ‘in addition to’ or ‘apart from,’ such as in, “Besides chocolate, she also likes vanilla.” Here, it indicates that her liking is not limited to chocolate but includes vanilla too. As an adverb, “Besides” is used to add information, similar to ‘moreover’ or ‘furthermore,’ as in, “I don’t want to go out tonight. Besides, I need to save money.” In this sentence, it introduces an additional reason.
Understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication. While “beside” refers to a literal or metaphorical side-by-side position, “besides” introduces additional information or alternative considerations, enhancing the depth and clarity of expression in both spoken and written English.
Examples of Writing Beside
In this section, you will be able to find examples of how beside is actually written in a sentence. This knowledge can go a long way in teaching you how to be a successful student and get good grades. Not to mention, it will also emphasize even more differences between these two words. For instance, how you can use beside and also in the same sentence:
I know it is a bad habit but I keep my phone beside my bed and also keep the volume on high.
The best friends sit beside each other for every class.
You should always place the water beside your plate when eating
Another thing that you may be wondering about regarding this word is a popular saying. As such, it may be confusing for you whether you should write beside the point or besides the point. The correct use of this word is “beside the point”.
Examples of Using Besides in Sentences
Finally, let’s see how you can use besides in a sentence. This can be a little trickier for some, considering the definition of the word. Thus, you may speculate about “How to use the word besides correctly?” The following examples should clear it up for you:
I don’t want to go dancing tonight; besides, I don’t have the right shoes for it.
Do you have any juice besides the orange and mango?
And if another question that you had was, “Can we start a sentence with the word besides?”, the answer to this question would be yes. Just make sure to always place a comma after the word when doing so.
It doesn’t matter if you are still struggling with the use of these words, despite the tutorial above. They do take a great deal of practice to master. However, if you do need to use them in your essays or academic papers, then you should essay order online for some guidance. This will give you a better idea of when and where to use these words in your writing.
The best way to get more comfortable with using beside and besides is to read and write as much as you can. Also, ask for academic assistance from essay helpers, where you can figure out how to use these words even more quickly.
