The TR Company

BESIDE or BESIDES?

11/7/19 BESIDE or BESIDES?

Beside is a preposition meaning “at the side of,” “by,” “next to.”

• Who’s that guy sitting beside Jane?

Besides can be used as a preposition with a similar meaning to as well as, to add new information to what is already known.

•  Besides literature, we have to study history and philosophy.
•  Who was at the meeting besides Jack and the Bensons?

Besides can also be used as a discourse marker meaning “also,” “as well,” “in any case.” It is often used to add a stronger, more conclusive argument to what has gone before. In this case, besides usually goes at the beginning of a clause.

• I don’t like those shoes; besides, they’re too expensive.
• It’s too late to go out now. Besides, it’s starting to rain.