besides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce an additional point or to indicate that something is in addition to what has already been mentioned. Example: "I enjoy hiking; besides, it's a great way to stay fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eggs are also valuable; besides their nutritional worth, they are used in their millions to produce our annual flu vaccines, as well as offering a means to explore embryo development and even test theories of how birds evolved from dinosaurs.

The Guardian - Books

There is a lot at stake for Sinn Féin this weekend, though, besides trying to still appear edgy and revolutionary in order to fend off accusations of reformism and sell-out.

The Guardian

At stake - besides the lives of innumerable Congolese and minority Tutsis in Rwanda and Uganda - is the personal prestige of three heads of state: Mr Mugabe, Sam Njoma of Namibia and Mr Dos Santos, who have publicly thrown their countries into a war against the better judgement of many of their own military leaders.

The Guardian

Any action could affect a number of social media sites: besides its eponymous social network, Facebook also owns the photo-sharing service Instagram, while Google owns YouTube, BlogSpot and Google+.

The Guardian

And besides, what are the rest of us doing about it?

The Guardian - Music

He's at a happy place in his career and, besides, he is about to go on vacation.

The Guardian - Film

One obvious option, besides just doing nothing and allowing health care costs to continue their exponential growth while more people lose coverage, is a single-payer health insurance plan.

The Guardian

Slovakia, whose Miroslav Lajčák was the only EU foreign minister besides Cyprus's to visit Moscow since the annexation of Crimea, said it expected to sign an oil-supply treaty with Russia this month that would expire in 2029.

The Guardian

He hits a mighty ball, often with a low trajectory, some of his sixes simply muscled over the boundary: he too hit only seven fours but he struck four sixes besides in an innings of only 84 balls, the most remarkable six coming when somehow, from on one knee, he flayed Dwayne Bravo over the boundary backward of square on the offside.

The Guardian - Sport

And besides, wouldn't most countries be supportive of their star player skipping a match against a minnow to be sure of making their presence felt when it was dearly needed?

The Guardian - Sport

"And, besides, there's the greater principle that my body is mine".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "besides" as a preposition, ensure it's followed by a noun or pronoun. For example, "Besides her, no one knew the answer."

Common error

Avoid confusing "beside" (next to) with "besides" (in addition to). "Beside" indicates physical proximity, while "besides" adds extra information or exceptions.

Linguistic Context

Besides functions primarily as an adverb and a preposition. As an adverb, it serves to introduce additional information. As a preposition, it denotes exclusion or exception. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides" is a versatile term functioning as both an adverb and a preposition, primarily used to introduce additional information or indicate exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, and should not be confused with "beside". Alternatives include "in addition to that", "furthermore", and "moreover", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be sure to use "besides" to seamlessly integrate additional points or arguments in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

furthermore

Adds a point that builds upon the previous one, indicating continuation.

moreover

Similar to "furthermore" but can also imply a slightly stronger emphasis.

in addition to that

Emphasizes the additive nature, focusing on including extra information.

also

A basic additive conjunction that can be used in many contexts.

as well

A simpler way to add something extra, typically placed at the end of the clause.

on top of that

Suggests an addition to something already substantial or significant.

apart from that

Highlights an exception or something distinct from the main topic.

other than that

Indicates an exception or something not included in the initial statement.

beyond that

Implies an extension of the previous point, often suggesting something more significant.

in any case

Introduces a statement that is true regardless of what else is happening.

FAQs

How do I use "besides" in a sentence?

"Besides" can function as an adverb or a preposition. As an adverb, it means 'in addition' (e.g., "I don't want to go; besides, it's too late"). As a preposition, it means 'apart from' or 'except' (e.g., "I have no hobbies besides reading").

What can I say instead of "besides"?

You can use alternatives like "in addition to that", "furthermore", or "moreover" depending on the context.

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

"Beside" means 'next to' or 'at the side of' something (e.g., "The cat sat beside the fireplace"). "Besides" means 'in addition to' or 'apart from' (e.g., "Besides English, I speak French").

Is it correct to start a sentence with "besides"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "besides", especially when used as an adverb to introduce an additional point or reason.