Beside vs Besides | Difference Between Beside and Besides

Beside and Besides are two words that are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. However, they have different meanings and usage in the English language.

Difference Between Beside and Besides

Meaning of Beside

Beside is a preposition that means next to or alongside. It indicates a physical proximity or position of one thing to another.

Meaning of Besides

Besides is an adverb that means in addition to or apart from. It indicates an additional or alternative factor or reason.

Differences between Beside and Besides

Beside	Besides
Preposition	Adverb
Indicates physical proximity or position	Indicates an additional or alternative factor or reason
Describes position of people or objects in relation to each other	Provides more information or emphasizes a particular aspect
Answers the question “Where?”	Answers the question “What else?”
Used with nouns or pronouns	Used with verbs, phrases, or clauses
Refers to something specific	Refers to something general
Indicates a physical relationship	Indicates a conceptual relationship
Indicates a location or position	Indicates an idea or concept
Used to show comparison	Used to introduce an additional point
Can be replaced with “next to” or “alongside”	Can be replaced with “in addition to” or “apart from”
Used to describe physical objects	Used to describe abstract concepts
Indicates something immediate or tangible	Indicates something remote or intangible
Describes a physical relationship or closeness	Describes a non-physical relationship or closeness
Indicates a direct connection or involvement	Indicates a tangential or peripheral connection

Usage of Beside

• Used to indicate a physical location or position of one thing next to or alongside another. 
• Used to describe the position of people or objects in relation to each other.
• Used to show support or encouragement
• Used to create contrast between two things
• Used to show comparison

Examples of Beside

• Cat beside the window.
• Museum beside the park.
• The phone is beside the computer.
• Friends beside each other.
• River beside the highway.
• Tree beside the building.
• Dog beside bed

Usage of Besides

• Used to introduce an additional or alternative point or reason. 
• Used to provide more information or to emphasize a particular aspect of something.
• Used to indicate something that is separate or apart from something else
• Used to indicate something that is in addition to something else

Examples of Besides

• Loves pizza besides pasta.
• Cold besides rainy today.
• Reads books besides watching TV.
• Has a dog besides a cat.
• Besides working, goes to school.
• Besides the gym, enjoys hiking.
• Drinks coffee besides tea.

Conclusion

In conclusion, beside and besides are two words with different meanings and usage in the English language. Beside is a preposition used to indicate physical proximity or position, while besides is an adverb used to provide more information or emphasize a particular aspect.