Use beside to mean physically next to (she sat beside him). Use besides to mean in addition to or furthermore (besides English, she speaks French).
The Core Difference
“Beside” is a preposition of physical location, meaning next to or at the side of something: the chair beside the window, sit beside me.
“Besides” means “in addition to” or “apart from”, and can also function as a linking adverb meaning “furthermore”: besides swimming, she also runs, I don't want to go; besides, it's raining.
- physical position → beside: the lamp beside the bed
- in addition / furthermore → besides: besides tea, we also have coffee
Beside and Besides in Context
He placed his bag beside the door.
Besides cooking, she enjoys painting and hiking.
The dog lay down beside the fireplace.
I don't feel like going out; besides, it's already late.
She sat beside her sister, and besides them, three other guests joined the table.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✗ besides the window, there's a chair | ✓ beside the window, there's a chair | physical position |
| ✗ beside English, he speaks Italian | ✓ besides English, he speaks Italian | in addition to |
| ✗ he sat besides her | ✓ he sat beside her | physical position, next to |
| ✗ I won't go; beside, it's raining | ✓ I won't go; besides, it's raining | linking word meaning “furthermore” |
| ✗ beside the cost, the location is also a problem | ✓ besides the cost, the location is also a problem | in addition to |
BESIDE = at the SIDE (no extra S) — think of “side” hiding right inside “beside”, meaning physical position. BESIDES = an extra S adds an extra idea — the extra letter S mirrors the sense of “also” or “in addition”.
Related Questions
- Besides vs Beside — full confusing-words comparison page with additional examples and exercises.
- All Confusing Words — browse all 300+ word-pair guides.
- All Questions — more quick-answer pages.
- Grammar Quiz — test your knowledge of confusing word pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest way to remember beside vs besides?
“Beside” (no final S) contains the word “side” and describes physical position, next to something. “Besides” (with a final S) adds the idea of “also” or “in addition”, and the extra S can remind you of an extra, additional item.
Can besides be used at the start of a sentence?
Yes — “besides” commonly starts a sentence as a linking adverb meaning “furthermore” or “in addition”: “Besides, I already told you I'm busy tonight.” This use adds a supporting or dismissive extra reason.
Is beside ever used to mean in addition to?
No — in standard modern English, “beside” only refers to physical position (next to). Using “beside” to mean “in addition to” is considered incorrect or old-fashioned; “besides” is required for that meaning.
What does beside the point mean?
“Beside the point” is a fixed idiom meaning irrelevant to the topic being discussed: “Whether he meant to do it is beside the point — the damage is done.” It always uses “beside”, not “besides”.
Can besides be followed directly by a noun?
Yes — “besides” frequently introduces an additional item before a noun or gerund: “Besides tennis, she also plays golf”, “Besides working full-time, he studies at night.”
Is besides the same as apart from?
Yes, very similar — both mean “in addition to” or “except for”, depending on context: “Besides/apart from the noise, the flat is perfect.” They are largely interchangeable in this sense.
Does beside always require a specific location?
Yes — “beside” always describes a specific physical relationship between two things or people being next to each other: beside the river, beside the bed, sit beside someone.
Why do learners often drop the S from besides?
Because “beside” already looks like a complete, correct word (it contains “side”), learners often assume it also covers the “in addition” meaning, forgetting that the extra S changes the meaning to “furthermore/also”.
Can besides be used to dismiss a previous point?
Yes — “besides” often introduces a reason that reinforces or overrides what was just said: “I don't like the plan. Besides, we don't have the budget for it.” This conversational use adds emphasis to a final point.
Is this distinction tested in writing and speaking exams?
Yes — correctly using “beside” for location and “besides” for addition/furthermore is a common precision point in Cambridge and IELTS writing and speaking assessments, since the words are easily confused even at higher levels.