Practice
Beside and besides: understand the difference
Sign in to saveThe folder beside the printer has a location. Besides the folder, you may need the signed form. The extra s changes the meaning.
Choose beside for a position next to something and besides when you add an item, reason, or comment.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
beside and besides /bɪˈsaɪd/ and /bɪˈsaɪdz/
The short answer
Use beside when one person or thing is next to another. Use besides when you mean in addition to, apart from, or also.
The spare key is beside the plant pot.
Why it works: Beside tells us where the key is: next to the plant pot.
4 more examples
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The visitor waited beside the reception desk.
Beside gives the visitor's position next to the desk.
Not this:
Besides the reception desk, the lobby needs clearer signs. What changes: Besides adds the reception desk as another part of the discussion. -
A bicycle is parked beside the hedge.
The bicycle is next to the hedge.
Not this:
Besides the bicycle, there is a scooter outside. What changes: Besides adds a scooter to the list of things outside. -
Please sit beside me during the presentation.
The request is about where the listener should sit.
Not this:
Besides me, two other people will present. What changes: Besides means that two additional people will present. -
The museum is beside the town hall.
Beside describes the museum's location.
Not this:
Besides the museum, the town has a small art gallery. What changes: Besides introduces an extra place to visit.
Read the full guide
Try a replacement before you decide. If next to keeps the meaning, write beside. If in addition to or also works, write besides. The noun after the word will not always tell you which one is right.
Use beside for a place next to something
Beside is usually a preposition of place. It tells you that one thing is next to another person, object, or place. It answers the question where?
The parcel is beside the blue door.
The parcel is next to the blue door. That is the meaning of beside in this sentence.
Which word fits if a chair is next to the window?
Use beside: The chair is beside the window.
Use besides to add an item
Besides introduces something extra. The extra thing might be an object, a person, or an idea. It means in addition to or apart from in this use.
Besides a pen, bring a notebook.
The notebook is another item to bring. The sentence does not say where the pen is.
Which word adds a second person to a list?
Use besides: Besides Anika, her brother is coming.
Check the meaning as well as the grammar
Both words can come before a noun phrase, so their position in the sentence does not settle the question. Compare the meaning of the whole sentence instead.
The lamp is beside the sofa.
Besides the lamp, the room needs curtains.
The first sentence gives a location. The second adds another thing the room needs.
Use besides for another reason or comment
Besides can add a complete point after the speaker has already made one. In this position, it often begins the clause and is followed by a comma.
We should leave now; besides, the roads may be busy later.
Besides gives one more reason for leaving. Next to would make no sense here.
Can beside introduce an extra reason?
No. Choose besides when you mean also or in addition.
Remember beside the point
Beside the point is a fixed expression. It means that something is not relevant to the matter being discussed. Learn the whole phrase with beside.
His earlier suggestion is beside the point because the meeting has changed.
The suggestion is not physically next to a point. The expression says it is not relevant.
Make a quick final check
Before you write the word, ask one question. Is it about being next to something? Choose beside. Is it about adding information? Choose besides. This check works in short notes, emails, and conversation.
The notice is beside the lift, and besides, the staff will send an email.
Beside gives the notice's location. Besides adds a second way that people will receive the information.
Before you go
Remember this
Ask whether the sentence describes a position or adds information. Choose beside for next to. Choose besides for an extra item, reason, or comment. Then read the sentence once more to check that the meaning is clear.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Beside and besides: understand the difference"
What is the difference between beside and besides?
Beside means next to and usually describes a location, as in The visitor waited beside the reception desk. Besides adds an extra item, person, idea, or reason, as in Besides the reception desk, the lobby needs clearer signs.
The visitor waited beside the reception desk.
Can beside and besides both come before a noun?
Yes. The grammar can look the same, so use meaning to choose. A bicycle beside the hedge has a position. Besides the bicycle, there is a scooter outside adds a second thing to the statement.
Besides the reception desk, the lobby needs clearer signs.
Can besides begin a sentence?
Yes. Besides can introduce an added noun phrase or another comment. In We should leave now; besides, the roads may be busy later, it gives an extra reason for leaving.
A bicycle is parked beside the hedge.
Why does besides sometimes have a comma?
Besides often has a comma when it begins an additional comment or reason. The comma helps the reader see that the speaker is adding a new point, rather than describing a place next to something.
Besides the bicycle, there is a scooter outside.
Is beside the point correct?
Yes. Beside the point is a fixed expression meaning not relevant to the matter being discussed. It keeps the spelling beside even though the expression does not describe a physical location.
Please sit beside me during the presentation.