alongside

USAGE SUMMARY

'alongside' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something existing or happening at the same time as something else. For example, "The couple stood alongside their children in the wedding photos".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alongside Hiddink in the dugout was Johan Neeskens, the former Ajax and Barcelona midfielder.

The Guardian - Sport

Gazans are materially cut off from the world economy, just as in Cuba: everything patched up and odd flashes of modernity amid an economy trapped in the 1970s – the occasional new car alongside battered Volvos and even more battered donkeys.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Lib Dems have already championed their commitment in 2010 by ending indefinite detention and are now willing to introduce a time limit alongside resettling 1,500 Syrian refugees and ending the use of pain as a form of restraint".

The Guardian

"Alongside this is the proposed legal duty on all public bodies to implement Prevent".

The Guardian

Now the Home Office is once again increasing the number of local authorities involved, alongside controversial plans to place a duty on universities, schools and local authorities to "prevent people from being drawn into terrorism", through an amendment to the counter-terror and security bill, which is at the Lords report stage.

The Guardian

Pedigree: It's exec-produced by Shawn Ryan of The Shield fame, alongside the creator of the original, Chris Cole.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was elected as the independent-minded, political outsider in 2000 and he lost as the establishment figure, standing alongside Gordon Brown, in 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their company, Peppermongers, seeks out the stuff that actually makes your lips tingle, selling it alongside a range of other peppery spices.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last month a UN environment programme report named Australia alongside Canada, the US and Mexico as the only countries that were likely to miss their current 2020 targets to cut emissions.

The Guardian

This hasn't been a solid show since its first season, and yet somehow it's nominated for best drama series again, alongside the vastly superior Game of Thrones, The Good Wife, The Affair and House of Cards.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Founded in the 1980s, HUM sent members to fight in Afghanistan alongside the Taliban and against Indian security forces in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir in the 1990s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alongside" to clearly indicate that two or more things exist or occur together, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "alongside" when simply indicating that something is near another. Opt for words like "beside" or "near" to convey mere proximity without implying a direct relationship or simultaneous action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alongside" is to act as a preposition or adverb, indicating a relationship of proximity, accompaniment, or concurrence. As a preposition, it connects a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alongside" functions as a versatile preposition and adverb, effectively conveying relationships of proximity, accompaniment, or concurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in journalistic writing. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to differentiate its nuanced meaning from simple proximity indicators like "beside". Use "alongside" to accurately reflect simultaneous activity or meaningful relationships between elements. Ludwig's analysis underscores its grammatical correctness and common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

side by side with

Underscores the physical proximity or alignment.

together with

Focuses on the additive aspect of being in association.

in conjunction with

Highlights the idea of working together or combining efforts.

in company with

Emphasizes the presence of someone or something else.

in association with

Highlights the connection or relationship.

in parallel with

Suggests simultaneous action or existence.

accompanying

Focuses on the role of something or someone that goes with another.

in collaboration with

Emphasizes cooperative effort.

concurrently with

Stresses the timing aspect of things happening at the same time.

adjacent to

Implies physical nearness but not necessarily a relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "alongside" in a sentence?

You can use "alongside" to show that two things are happening at the same time or are closely related, as in "The nurse worked "alongside" the doctor".

What are some alternatives to the word "alongside"?

Some alternatives to "alongside" include "together with", "in conjunction with", or "side by side", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "alongside of" instead of "alongside"?

While "alongside of" was once acceptable, it's now considered archaic. Using simply "alongside" is the preferred and more modern usage.

What is the difference between "alongside" and "beside"?

"Alongside" implies a closer association or simultaneous activity, while "beside" simply indicates physical proximity without necessarily implying a relationship or shared action.