“Beside vs. Besides: The Small Difference That Changes Everything in English”

Introduction

In English, “beside” and “besides” may look almost identical, but they have very different meanings and uses. Mixing them up can create confusion or change the intended meaning of a sentence.

This in-depth yet easy-to-follow guide explores the key differences between “beside” and “besides”, complete with clear definitions, real-world examples, grammar rules, and tips to help you avoid common mistakes. If you're an English learner or content writer, mastering these two words will give your language skills a sharp and professional edge.

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1. The Core Difference in Meaning

Let’s start with the big picture:

Word	Type	Meaning	Example
beside	Preposition	Next to; at the side of	The bag is beside the table.
besides	Preposition/Adverb	In addition to; apart from	Besides coffee, I also love tea.

These two words serve different purposes:

• “Beside” talks about location or physical position.

• “Besides” is about adding information or making exceptions.

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2. Understanding “Beside”

✅ Meaning:

“Beside” means next to or close to something or someone.

🔹 Type:

It’s a preposition used to show spatial relationships.

✅ Examples:

• She sat beside her mother at the concert.

• There’s a lamp beside the bed.

• He parked his bike beside the garage.

🧠 Memory Tip:

Think of “beside” as “by the side” → It deals with physical position.

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3. Understanding “Besides”

✅ Meanings:

“Besides” can mean in addition to, as well as, or apart from. It can also be used to introduce supporting reasons or exceptions.

🔹 Types:

• Preposition: to show addition or exclusion.

• Adverb: to emphasize or introduce a new point.

✅ Examples as a Preposition:

• Besides pizza, we also ordered pasta.

• I don’t know anyone besides Sarah who can do that.

• Besides English, she speaks French and Spanish.

✅ Examples as an Adverb:

• I can’t go. Besides, I’m not feeling well.

• It’s too expensive. Besides, it’s out of stock.

🧠 Memory Tip:

“Besides” = “in addition” → It adds extra information.

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4. Real-Life Example Pairs

To see the difference clearly, compare these examples:

💡 Example 1:

• I sat beside him during dinner. (location)

• Besides him, nobody else showed up. (in addition to)

💡 Example 2:

• The keys are beside the vase. (next to)

• Besides the keys, what else did you lose? (what else/in addition)

💡 Example 3:

• She stood beside her best friend at the ceremony. (next to)

• Besides her best friend, her parents were there too. (in addition to)

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5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect Sentence	✅ Corrected Sentence	❓ Why It’s Wrong
Besides the couch, the dog was sleeping.	Beside the couch, the dog was sleeping.	“Beside” is needed for physical position.
She stood beside the others who left.	She stood besides the others who left.	❌ Incorrect: “besides” doesn’t mean “with.”
I like cake. Beside, I like pie.	I like cake. Besides, I like pie.	“Besides” (with s) means “also.”
No one was there beside me.	No one was there besides me.	“Besides” means “except for me.”

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6. Test Yourself: Choose the Right Word

Choose either beside or besides to complete the sentence:

1. He placed his phone ________ the notebook.

2. ________ her sister, no one else applied.

3. The restaurant is located ________ the bookstore.

4. I’m too tired. ________, it’s already midnight.

5. She stood ________ the door, waiting.

<details><summary>Click for Answers</summary>

1. beside

2. Besides

3. beside

4. Besides

5. beside

</details>

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7. Grammar Snapshot

Feature	Beside	Besides
Part of Speech	Preposition	Preposition / Adverb
Function	Shows physical proximity	Shows addition, exception, or reason
Used with	Places, people	People, ideas, items
Meaning	Next to	In addition to / apart from / furthermore

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8. Helpful Practice Sentences

Try rewriting each sentence using the other word if possible (hint: sometimes it won't work!).

1. The bench is beside the fountain.

2. Besides chocolate, I also like vanilla.

3. He stood beside me and smiled.

4. I won’t go. Besides, I’m busy tomorrow.

5. Nobody came besides Anna.

See how beside usually talks about location, while besides deals with adding or excluding information.

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9. Final Tips to Remember

• ✅ Use “beside” when you're talking about where something or someone is located.

• ✅ Use “besides” when you're adding something, listing alternatives, or making an exception.

• 🚫 Don't use them interchangeably—they look similar, but they do very different jobs.

• 📚 If you’re writing formally, “besides” can add variety instead of using “also” or “in addition.”

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Conclusion

Though just a single letter sets them apart, “beside” and “besides” play completely different roles in English. One is about position, and the other is about adding information or making exceptions. Knowing the difference helps avoid misunderstandings and polishes your grammar in both writing and speaking.

By practicing with examples and paying close attention to the context, you’ll soon find yourself using both words confidently and correctly.

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Try This Final Challenge:

Write your own two sentences—one with “beside” and one with “besides.” Share them with a friend, tutor, or post them online to test your understanding!