Beside vs. Besides: What's the Difference?
Distinguish beside, meaning next to, from besides, meaning in addition to or anyway, with examples, rules, common mistakes, a quiz, and FAQs.
Beside usually means next to or at the side of. Besides means in addition to, apart from, or moreover. Sit beside me, but bring your notes besides the agenda—or more naturally, bring your notes in addition to the agenda.
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At 8:10 a.m., a meeting note says “Beside the budget, we need to discuss hiring.” The writer means in addition to the budget, not physically next to it, so the correct word is besides.
Beside vs. Besides at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| beside | Preposition | next to, at the side of, or compared with | Place the reference sheet beside your keyboard. |
| besides | Preposition or adverb | in addition to, except, or moreover | Besides the summary, the report includes a glossary. |
How to use beside
Beside primarily describes physical position. It also appears in established figurative phrases such as beside the point, beside yourself, and pale beside another achievement. It does not normally mean in addition to.
Place the reference sheet beside your keyboard.
How to use besides
As a preposition, besides adds another item or sometimes means apart from. As a sentence adverb, it introduces an extra reason: the route is longer; besides, the road is closed. Context determines whether the sense is addition or exception.
Besides the summary, the report includes a glossary.
Rules that make the choice easier
Use beside for location
If next to fits, use beside: the chair beside the window.
Use besides for addition
If in addition to or moreover fits, choose besides: besides cost, consider time.
Learn the fixed phrases
Beside the point and beside yourself always use the form without s.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Incorrect: Beside cost, what matters? Correct: Besides cost, what matters?
- Incorrect: Sit besides me. Correct: Sit beside me.
- Do not remove the s from the sentence adverb besides.
Quick practice
1. The lamp stands ___ the sofa.
Answer: beside
2. ___ price, we should consider durability.
Answer: Besides
3. That objection is ___ the point.
Answer: beside
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between beside and besides?
Beside means next to; besides usually means in addition to or moreover.
Is it beside the point or besides the point?
The fixed phrase is beside the point.
Can besides start a sentence?
Yes. As an adverb, it can introduce an additional reason or point.
Is it sit beside me or besides me?
Write sit beside me because the meaning is next to me.