Grammatically Correct
8/19/09
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors. |
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901 |
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When
to Use Beside and Besides |
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One
letter has been known to make a rather large
difference when it comes to words:
Compliment/Complement,
Allusion/Illusion,
Advice/Advise,
Effect/Affect,
Raise/Rise,
Further/Farther,
and
Ascent/Assent
(Follow the links for the grammar tip that explains
the difference one letter can make).
In the case of
beside and besides, that single letter
–s is the difference between a preposition
and an adverb, respectively.
Beside is a preposition that refers to the
position “next to” or that signals something as
irrelevant.
Ex.
The test itself is beside the issue; it is
the philosophy on which the test is based that must
be addressed.
Ex.
You’ll find “Iron Man” beside the rest of my
comic book movies.
Ex.
That is beside the point.
To determine if
beside is the word you need, substitute the
phrase next to or not relevant to for
beside in your sentence—if it makes sense,
beside is your word.
Ex. That is [not
relevant to] the point.
Besides is an adverb that identifies something
as “in addition to” or as an exception.
Ex.
Do you have any comments besides the ones you
have already voiced?
Ex.
Besides being a politeness strategy, hedging can
also be a means of joining an ongoing conversation.
Ex.
I’m too tired to run; besides, my running
shoes have recently disappeared.
Ex.
No one besides the professor can withdraw you
from the class.
To
determine if besides is the word you need,
substitute the phrase in addition to or
except for for beside in your sentence—if
it makes sense, besides is your word.
Ex. Do you
have any comments [in addition to] the ones you have
already voiced?
Ex.
No one [except for] the professor can withdraw you
from the class.
Ex.
I’m too tired to run; [in addition], my running
shoes have recently disappeared.
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The
Author
Karalyn Jones
has tutored since 2005 and obtained a bachelor's degree in
December 2008. Karalyn is CRLA certified at the master level
and is known in the Academic Center for the number of cups
of coffee she can drink.
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References
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (11th e.). (2007).
Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.
Definitions
Beside (prep)
1. Next to; in comparison with 2.
Not relevant to
Besides (adv)
1. In addition to; moreover;
furthermore 2. Otherwise, except for
-Definitions from
Merriam-Webster, 2007, p.115.
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Decide if the following sentences use beside
or besides correctly:
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Although the moon
can light up the night, beside the sun, it
appears frail and pale.
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Beside athletics,
Jena could also count academia, theatre, and
society in her list of expertise as well.
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This current
election is one campaign where gender is not
besides the point.
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While by itself, the
second sample’s discrepancy is nominal, beside
the other samples, it’s alarming.
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Beside "The Road Not
Taken," Frost wrote "Stopping by the Woods,"
another piece which conveys his inner turmoil.
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Beside that one
piece of factual evidence, his argument rests on
assumptions and generalizations.
Answers:
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Correct: Although the moon
can light up the night, beside the sun, it
appears frail and pale.
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Incorrect.
A corrected version of the sentence would be,
"Besides
athletics, Jena could also count academia,
theatre, and society in her list of expertise as
well."
-
This is one campaign
where gender is not beside the point.
-
Correct: While by itself, the
second sample’s discrepancy is nominal, beside
the other samples, it’s alarming.
-
Incorrect.
A corrected version of the sentence would be,
"Besides "The
Road Not Taken," Frost wrote "Stopping by the
Woods," another piece which conveys his inner
turmoil."
-
Incorect. A
corrected version of the sentence would be, "Besides that
one piece of factual evidence, his argument
rests on assumptions and generalizations."
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