besides one thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides one thing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when introducing an additional point or exception in a discussion. Example: "I like the movie, but besides one thing, it was quite predictable." Alternative expressions include "apart from one thing" and "other than one thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Besides, one thing could unsettle even the Czechs.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

THE basketball program here prides itself on one thing besides its winning record -- and that is continuity.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the emancipatory dream of 3D printers enabling everyone to make anything they want is currently economically unlikely, and besides the one thing that is very popular in 3D printing is untraceable parts for assault rifles.

The Guardian - Books

Tempering your use, controlling the flow of information and altering your online behavior are the only solutions to the constant betrayal by Facebook besides the one thing you probably won't do — quit.

Forbes

The weather, as unpredictable as it may be for anything besides conversation, has been good for one thing: it has produced a great display of fall foliage in New York City's parks.

The New York Times - Arts

For one thing, and not the least thing, it keeps the "who besides a white male" question in play.

Los Angeles Times

For one thing, if anyone has the right to sound like Hendrix, it's Arthur Lee, who was friends with Jimi, and an early musical influence besides.

Huffington Post

Of course, the one thing on CNN's mind besides the quality of the show will be how many people tune in to watch it.

HuffPost

He may argue that Messi is used, at Barcelona, to close down space, but he no longer does it with the ferocity he used to and, besides, it's one thing to follow instructions from Luis Enrique at Barcelona, quite another to buy wholly into the plan of somebody whose highest-profile jobs have been at San Lorenzo and São Paulo.

The Guardian - Sport

If there is one thing besides Bake Off we could all sign up to, surely this would be it?

The Guardian - Opinion

If the University Archives prove one thing (besides maybe that the trustees shouldn't formally record their tavern expenditures) it's that presidential-search committees don't want their deliberations recorded; I suppose if the electee subsequently succeeds, nobody cares about who got him/her there, and if s/he flames out, everybody remembers.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "besides one thing" to introduce a specific exception or additional point that doesn't negate the overall statement. Ensure the 'one thing' is clearly defined for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "besides one thing" without clearly stating what that 'one thing' is. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument. Always ensure the exception is well-defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides one thing" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an exception or additional consideration to a statement. It modifies the main clause by adding a qualification. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to highlight something that stands apart from the general case.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides one thing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce an exception or qualification to a statement. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific writing. To maximize clarity, be sure to clearly define the 'one thing' you are referencing. While it's considered acceptable for formal use, maintaining precision and avoiding vagueness is key to ensuring effective communication. Related phrases like "apart from one aspect" and "except for one item" can offer similar nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Other than one thing

Directly substitutes 'besides' with 'other than'.

Apart from one aspect

Focuses on excluding a single element from consideration.

Except for one item

Highlights a specific exception to a general statement.

With the exception of one detail

Emphasizes the singular nature of the exception.

Excluding one consideration

Explicitly removes a single factor from consideration.

Aside from a single point

Similar to 'apart from', indicating a minor deviation.

Save for one element

Uses 'save for' to introduce the sole exception.

But for one detail

Highlights that without this detail the sentence meaning would be different.

Barring one issue

Implies that only one problem exists, if that is resolved there are no issues.

Leaving aside one factor

Similar to excluding or disregarding a single element.

FAQs

How can I use "besides one thing" in a sentence?

Use "besides one thing" to introduce an exception or additional point that doesn't negate the overall statement. For example, "The project was successful, "besides one thing": the budget exceeded expectations".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "besides one thing"?

Alternatives include "apart from one thing", "except for one item", or "other than one thing", which all serve to introduce a specific exception or consideration.

Is it correct to say "besides one thing" in formal writing?

Yes, "besides one thing" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the context is clear and the 'one thing' is well-defined for maximum clarity.

How does "besides one thing" differ from "except for one thing"?

While both introduce exceptions, "besides one thing" can sometimes imply an additional consideration, whereas "except for one thing" typically focuses solely on the exception. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.