beside him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'beside him' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something being located next to another person or thing. For example, "The boy stood beside him, eagerly awaiting his turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Bryony was beside him".

Independent

She sat beside him.

The New Yorker

Gerry was beside him.

The New Yorker

Donal sat beside him.

The New Yorker

Kype stood beside him.

The New Yorker

Peggy got in beside him.

The New York Times

His cane lay beside him.

The New Yorker

A boy crouched beside him.

The New Yorker

I fell in beside him.

The New York Times - Magazine

His backpack is beside him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then I was not-so-beside him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beside him" to clearly indicate physical proximity to a male individual, avoiding ambiguity in spatial relationships. Ensure the context makes it clear who 'him' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "beside him" when you actually mean "besides him" (in addition to him). "Beside" indicates physical location, while "besides" indicates inclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beside him" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating the spatial relationship between a subject and a male individual. It describes the location of someone or something in relation to 'him', as demonstrated by Ludwig in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

38%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beside him" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate physical proximity to a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives exist, such as "adjacent to him". When using the phrase, ensure the context makes it clear who 'him' refers to, and be mindful of the difference between "beside" (location) and "besides" (in addition to). Understanding these nuances will help you use "beside him" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next to him

Replaces "beside" with "next to", indicating physical proximity.

near him

A simple and direct way to indicate proximity.

alongside him

Suggests being side by side, often implying support or partnership.

at his side

Emphasizes loyalty or support by being in close proximity.

to his side

Similar to "at his side", implying a specific position.

close to him

Indicates nearness, but can also imply emotional closeness.

adjacent to him

Suggests sharing a boundary or being immediately next to him.

in proximity to him

A more formal way of saying "near him".

in his vicinity

Refers to being in the general area around him.

in company with him

Indicates being together or accompanying him.

FAQs

How can I use "beside him" in a sentence?

Use "beside him" to indicate that someone or something is physically located next to a male individual. For example, "She stood beside him during the ceremony".

What's the difference between "beside him" and "besides him"?

"Beside him" refers to physical proximity, while "besides him" means in addition to him. For example, "No one stood "besides him" at the event" means no one else was there apart from him.

What can I say instead of "beside him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "next to him", "alongside him", or "at his side".

Is "beside him" formal or informal?

"Beside him" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "adjacent to him" may be preferred in certain settings.