besides having

USAGE SUMMARY

"besides having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to connect two similar actions or qualities. For example: "He enjoyed the day, besides having to take a few tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And besides, having more long entries is always nice.

The New York Times

None really, it seemed, besides having a valid driver's license.

The New York Times - Travel

You mean besides having sex with a rubber man?

The New York Times

But besides having musical skills, they are very sociable and articulate.

The New York Times

I have to prove that besides having muscles I have a brain".

The New York Times

And a tie bar, besides having made a fashion comeback, keeps your tie from flying.

The New York Times

Lockheed's X-33 design, besides having lifting surfaces, features a new engine called an aerospike.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Besides, having a strict mother certainly didn't hold back John F. Kennedy Jr. or Chris Rock.

The New York Times

Besides having four feet, it might share few features with other quadrupeds.

SEP

Besides having different molecular pathology and clinical manifestation, different subtypes have different response to treatments.

BioMed Research International

Only immunosuppressant RPM may inhibit occurrence and recurrence of tumors, besides having strong immunosuppressive efficacy [ 33].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "besides having" to introduce an additional positive or negative aspect of a subject. For example, "Besides having a strong academic record, she also excelled in extracurricular activities."

Common error

Avoid using "besides having" when you actually mean "despite having". "Besides having" adds an additional, often similar, point, while "despite having" introduces a contrasting or unexpected point. For example, it's incorrect to say "Besides having a headache, I enjoyed the party." Instead, use "Despite having a headache, I enjoyed the party."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides having" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing additional information or qualities related to the subject. It is used to add another element that complements or supplements the initial statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides having" is a versatile prepositional phrase that correctly adds information, qualities, or characteristics to a subject. As identified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used, fitting seamlessly into various contexts from news and media to scientific discourse. Its neutral tone lends it well to professional settings, though it is also suitable for informal conversation. Remember that "besides having" differs from "despite having", as the first adds and the second contrasts. This makes "besides having" a useful tool for enriching your writing, so long as it's used with accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to having

Emphasizes the additive nature of the phrase, focusing on adding another element.

as well as having

Directly adds another element, keeping a balanced tone.

apart from having

Highlights the aspect of separation, indicating something distinct from what was previously stated.

aside from having

Similar to 'apart from,' but can also imply a minor exception.

beyond having

Indicates that something goes further or exceeds the initial point.

on top of having

Suggests an additional layer or burden, often used for negative connotations.

not only having but also

Uses a correlative structure to emphasize both aspects being mentioned.

over and above having

Highlights a sense of excess or something extra.

besides the fact that it has

Adds emphasis on the 'fact' that something possesses a quality or feature.

supplementing its existing qualities

Focuses on the idea of adding to or enhancing existing attributes.

FAQs

How can I use "besides having" in a sentence?

"Besides having" introduces an additional piece of information that complements the main statement. For example, "Besides having excellent grades, she also has strong leadership skills."

What's a good alternative to "besides having"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in addition to having", "as well as having", or "apart from having".

What is the difference between "besides having" and "despite having"?

"Besides having" adds information, while "despite having" introduces a contrast. For example, "Besides having a good job, he also enjoys painting" vs. "Despite having a bad cold, he went to work."

Is "besides having" formal or informal?

The phrase "besides having" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.