Look-alike words

Beside vs. Besides

Beside is a preposition that means next to or at the side of. Besides means in addition to or except, and it can also mean anyway or also. Sit beside me; besides, there are no other seats.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
beside	preposition	next to or at the side of someone or something
beside	preposition	compared with someone or something; also in the phrase beside the point, meaning not relevant
besides	preposition	in addition to, or other than
besides	adverb	also, or anyway; used to add another reason

Beside

preposition: next to or at the side of someone or something

Leo parked his bike beside the front door.
There is a small table beside the bed with a lamp on it.

preposition: compared with someone or something; also in the phrase beside the point, meaning not relevant

Beside the new phone, my old one looks huge.
Whether the car is red or blue is beside the point.

Besides

preposition: in addition to, or other than

Besides soccer, Maya plays the violin.
No one besides Sam knows the password.

adverb: also, or anyway; used to add another reason

It's too cold to swim, and besides, the pool is closed.
I don't want dessert. Besides, I already had cake at lunch.

How to remember the difference

Beside means by the side: one side, no extra s. Besides adds something, so it has the extra s, like plus.

Good to know

Beside yourself is an idiom that means very upset or excited, as in She was beside herself with joy. It takes beside, not besides.

Spot the mistake

The dog sleeps on a mat ~~besides~~ beside the fireplace.
Correct: The dog sleeps on a mat beside the fireplace.
~~Beside~~ Besides math, what other classes are you taking?
Correct: Besides math, what other classes are you taking?

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Please put the plant the window so it gets light.

2. Who else Priya is coming to dinner?