besides anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides anything" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to imply "in addition to anything else" but is not commonly accepted. Example: "Besides anything, I think we should consider the budget before making a decision."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Anybody can do anything: and besides, anything has already been done.

The Guardian - Books

But you've missed that, and let's assume that you're unacquainted with her anyway (few are, but her story's a beautiful one - look it up) and, besides anything else, Anglesey's too remote to reach at short notice.

The Guardian - Travel

Other surveys show they think it's the best use of their tax dollars besides anything but the national defense.

Huffington Post

Besides, anything involving polar bears is objectively newsworthy.So, here's the other thing.

The Economist

Besides anything else, he argues, behaving consistently ethically is in their self-interest.

The Economist

Besides, anything that sounds interesting has been written about five times in the last year and there are three other guys in your department writing on the same thing.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Anything besides that, sir?

The New York Times

And will it cover anything besides wages?

The Economist

"I've never said anything besides that".

The New York Times - Sports

Just anything besides this risky place".

The New York Times

Do you do anything besides sing in your performances?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "besides anything", ensure the context is informal or conversational, as it's not universally accepted in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "in addition to everything else" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "besides anything" in academic papers or formal reports. Opt for clearer, more conventional alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides anything" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to introduce an additional consideration or exception. It's used to add something to what has already been stated. The Ludwig examples illustrate its role in supplementing information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "besides anything" functions as an adverbial phrase used to introduce additional considerations, mainly in informal or conversational contexts. Ludwig highlights that while acceptable, it is not a standard phrase, and clearer alternatives like "in addition to everything" or "apart from everything else" may be preferred, especially in formal settings. The phrase is relatively rare, appearing mostly in News & Media sources. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase's grammatical status is acceptable but not universally recognized in formal English. Therefore, writers should use it judiciously and consider more conventional options for clarity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to everything

This alternative directly replaces "besides anything" with a more standard phrase expressing inclusivity.

apart from everything else

Similar to "besides anything", this phrase indicates an exception or additional consideration beyond all other things.

over and above all else

This phrase emphasizes that something is considered in addition to everything else already mentioned.

on top of everything

This option means that something is added as another consideration, especially when things are already complex.

in spite of everything else

This phrase introduces a contrasting element that remains true despite all other considerations.

despite everything

This option indicates that something occurs or is true even with all other factors considered.

beyond all other considerations

Emphasizes that a particular point is being considered above and beyond any other factors.

aside from all other matters

Indicates a specific point is being addressed independently of other issues.

more than anything else

Highlights a priority or preference above all other options or considerations.

furthermore

Acts as a simple additive conjunction, indicating additional information or points.

FAQs

What does "besides anything" mean?

In informal contexts, "besides anything" can mean in addition to everything else or apart from all other considerations. However, it's not a standard phrase in formal English.

What can I say instead of "besides anything"?

You can use alternatives like "in addition to everything", "apart from everything else", or "over and above all else" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "besides anything" in a sentence?

While not strictly incorrect, "besides anything" is less formal and less common than alternatives. Ludwig indicates its usage is acceptable but notes that standard phrases may be clearer.

When should I avoid using "besides anything"?

Avoid using "besides anything" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional reports. In such contexts, use clearer and more widely accepted alternatives such as "moreover", or "furthermore".