Beside vs. Besides 

"Beside" vs. "Besides" in the English Grammar

What Are Their Main Differences?

'Beside' is a preposition. However, 'besides' can function as both a preposition and an adverb. They also differ in meaning.

Differences

'Beside' is a preposition of place. We use it to indicate that something/someone is next to another. Below, we have provided some examples for you:

Example

I can see a dog beside the telephone box.

Mom, there' nothing beside the couch.

'Besides' can function as both a preposition and an adverb. It can have different meanings. When it is a preposition, it means 'aside from', and as an adverb of manner, it is used to give extra information. Look at the following examples below:

Example

Besides, who said you could come here in the middle of the night?

Besides the cost, I don't even like to work down here.

Similarities

They can both function as prepositions. Look:

Example

Beside the table, there was cat lying on the floor.

Besides Vicky, who else has the audacity to oppose me?

Are They Interchageable?

Since they have different parts of speech and meanings, they cannot be used interchangeably. Compare:

Example

Besides, who even care about what other may think of us?

Here, we are adding extra information.

X Beside, who even care about what other may think of us?

We cannot use 'beside' to add information to something.

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