anything besides this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything besides this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for alternatives or options that are different from what has been mentioned or presented. Example: "Is there anything besides this that you would recommend for the project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just anything besides this risky place".

The New York Times

It is unclear if they are working on anything besides this book.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This doesn't mean anything, besides the fact that whoever was looking after Michael Jackson's Twitter account was an idiot.

TechCrunch

At the end of one episode, Adam Adam Driverr), who had heretofore been portrayed purely as Hannah's unknowable lust object, turns the dynamic around and yells at her for being so self-obsessed: "You never ask me anything besides 'Does this feel OK?', or 'Do you like my skirt?', 'How much is your rent?'.

The Guardian - Books

Anything besides that, sir?

The New York Times

"I've never said anything besides that".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's difficult to think about anything besides the war".

The New York Times - Magazine

Are you working on anything besides the "Achewood" comic strip, books, merchandise, and blogs?

The New Yorker

But I'm not really expecting anything besides the ordinary nighttime routine.

The Washington Post

Is there anything besides the atmosphere and the oceans that influences 2.2 billion lives?

The Guardian - Tech

It is difficult to get Mr. Romero, now 53, to talk of anything besides the horses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "anything besides this", ensure the context clearly defines what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, "Are there any options available to you, "besides this" one?" makes the meaning very clear.

Common error

Avoid using "anything besides this" when "this" is vaguely defined or understood. Always provide sufficient context to ensure the reader knows exactly what is being excluded or contrasted. Instead of saying: "I don't want that, or anything besides this", clarify with "I don't want that, or anything besides this specific model of car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything besides this" functions as a prepositional phrase used to exclude a specific item or option from consideration, requesting or indicating a preference for alternatives. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anything besides this" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression used to express a desire for alternatives or to exclude a specific item from consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, the formality can vary depending on the surrounding language. Remember to ensure that the context clearly defines what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "anything other than this" or "anything apart from this" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything other than this

Replaces "besides" with "other than", maintaining the same exclusionary meaning.

anything apart from this

Substitutes "besides" with "apart from", keeping the sense of excluding something.

anything but this

Emphasizes the exclusion of "this" with a more direct tone.

anything excluding this

Directly uses the word "excluding" to convey the meaning.

something else instead of this

Uses "instead of" to indicate a preference for an alternative.

everything except this

Highlights what is included by specifying what is excluded.

something different from this

Focuses on the aspect of difference rather than direct exclusion.

any alternative to this

Shifts the focus to seeking an alternative rather than just excluding.

something to replace this

Suggests a direct substitution or replacement.

nothing else but this

Expresses exclusivity, implying only this option is acceptable (opposite meaning).

FAQs

How can I use "anything besides this" in a sentence?

You can use "anything besides this" to express a preference for something other than what's currently being considered. For example, "Is there "anything other than this" that you would like to eat?"

What's a more formal alternative to "anything besides this"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "anything apart from this" or "any alternatives to this". These options maintain the meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

Is "anything besides this" grammatically correct?

Yes, "anything besides this" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to ask for options other than what has been mentioned. Ludwig confirms this with real-world examples.

What's the difference between "anything besides this" and "nothing besides this"?

"Anything besides this" implies a desire for alternatives, while "nothing besides this" suggests that only the specified item is acceptable. They have opposite meanings.