Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Beside versus Besides


Beside (without the s) is a preposition that means next to, along side of, at the side of
  • "The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit" ~ Saint Teresa
  • The little girl was sitting beside her mother.
  • A man should stand beside his woman.
  • Who is the big girl sitting beside Anne?
Besides (with the s) can act as a preposition or a conjunctive adverb.

Besides means moreover, in addition, also, as well, in any case when it acts as a conjunctive adverb.

  • Besides chocolate, you will also need a second flavoring in the ice-cream.
  • I don't like those earrings; besides, they're t costly.
  • I'm to exhausted to type the report tonight; besides, it's not due until next week.
  • He is naive, immature and irritable; besides, he is too young for you.
Besides means except when it acts as a preposition.
  • No one besides her mother knew her secret.
  • No one besides the trainer could control the dog.
  • Nobody besides Sam can deal with her
  • No one besides Sam would use such an offending tone.
Idioms:

Beside oneself: very surprised; greatly agitated; in a state of extreme, uncontrolled emotion

  • He was beside himself with anger.
Beside the point: not relevant or important
  • Your idea is beside the point.