besides someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in addition to or apart from a specific person. Example: "Besides John, we also invited Sarah to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Still, the complaints about missed flight connections and important meetings were light-footed, because what mattered was that the birth had gone well and besides, someone said, who knew if the tyre would have deflated and caused landing problems in Atlanta?

The Guardian - Opinion

And besides, someone needs to look over my shoulder to make sure I get things right, don't they?

Huffington Post

You're probably not the first to do this and besides, someone had to dump them in there in the first place. .

Los Angeles Times

At the end of the day who, besides someone who wants to sell you something or go out with you, deeply cares to know you can't get enough of Jackson Browne's tunes and blue Gatorade?

Forbes

And just like all other language options on Instagram, everything besides someone's username will be translated.

TechCrunch

By the early 00s, besides someone like Eminem, Britney Spears, or N*Sync (or Lil Wayne later, with Tha Carter III in 2008) it had becoming increasingly rare for any artist to tip over seven figures in sales.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Someone "besides my client" was behaving in a threatening manner, he said, though he wouldn't say who.

Los Angeles Times

I can't motor to the gas station without her (besides, I need someone to help me count the bulging stack of greenbacks required to satisfy our bill).

Los Angeles Times

And besides, if someone stops using one of our products today, we hope that they would be willing to try one of our other products at some point in the future.

TechCrunch

Finally, someone besides Jordan came through for the Bulls.

The New York Times - Sports

About half the Republican electorate wants someone besides Trump or Cruz.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "besides someone", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are adding to a group or excluding from a group. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the sentence structure clearly indicates whether "besides someone" means 'in addition to' or 'apart from'. Reword if necessary to remove potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

Besides someone functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to specify inclusion or exclusion. Ludwig's examples show the phrase being used to indicate someone in addition to or apart from someone else.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "besides someone" is grammatically correct but relatively rare. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for use in written English. It functions as a prepositional phrase to indicate addition or exclusion, with its primary context being News & Media. To ensure clarity, especially in formal writing, consider using alternative phrases such as "in addition to someone" or ""apart from someone"" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from someone

Focuses on setting someone aside or excluding them.

other than someone

Emphasizes a distinction or difference from a specific person.

aside from someone

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

in addition to someone

Shifts the focus to including someone else along with the person mentioned.

excluding someone

Directly states the act of leaving someone out.

not counting someone

Implies disregarding or not considering someone.

except for someone

Highlights an exception to a general statement.

with the exception of someone

A more formal way of saying 'except for someone'.

leaving someone out

Focuses on the act of omission.

other people than someone

Emphasizes that the exception is applied to a broader group rather than the specified individual.

FAQs

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

Use "besides someone" to indicate an additional person or to exclude someone from a group. For example, "Besides John, Mary also attended the meeting" or "Everyone is invited "besides John"".

What's the difference between "besides someone" and "except for someone"?

"Besides someone" can imply addition or exclusion depending on context, whereas "except for someone" typically indicates an exception or exclusion. You may want to use the phrase "apart from someone" if exclusion is the goal.

What can I say instead of "besides someone" to indicate addition?

To indicate addition, you can use alternatives like "in addition to someone" or "as well as someone depending on the context".

Is it always clear whether "besides someone" means addition or exclusion?

No, the meaning of "besides someone" can sometimes be ambiguous. Ensure the surrounding sentence provides enough context to avoid confusion. If clarity is paramount, rephrase using more explicit alternatives like "other than someone" or in addition to someone.