besides them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate additional people or things in a discussion or list, often implying that the mentioned subjects are not the only ones relevant to the context. Example: "We have several volunteers for the event, and besides them, we also have a few sponsors who are contributing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

No one had seen it besides them and Wilutzky.

The New Yorker

"There's a lot of other things that make this game besides them," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a lot of other things that make this game besides them".

The New York Times - Sports

"He sits down besides them, puts his hand on their shoulders, and just is there as a human being," Mr. ten Hoopen said.

The New York Times

A hawk egg takes two days to lay, but the hatches are spaced closer together, the younger siblings' arrivals hastened by the vibrations they feel besides them.

The New York Times

And besides them was Dikembe Mutombo, a former N.B.A. star now using his stature back home in the Democratic Republic of Congo to construct hospitals and research centers in his hometown of Kinshasa.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I did everything I could besides beating them up.

Huffington Post

What other things can you do with chocolate chips besides put them in cookies?

The New Yorker

Business owners are finding other uses for some older office buildings besides turning them into condos.

The New York Times

The wineries themselves say that besides protecting them from fakery, the new labels give them a competitive edge.

The New York Times

"Russia is all very well," he told his mother, "but too much Russia makes men mad, besides wearing them out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "besides them", ensure the context clearly establishes who "them" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "besides them" if the referent of "them" is unclear or has not been explicitly stated. Always make sure your audience knows exactly who or what you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides them" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a clause or sentence by adding information about additional entities or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it introduces supplementary elements to a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides them" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce additional elements or individuals to a previously mentioned group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While neutral in register, more formal alternatives exist for academic and professional writing. When using "besides them", ensure the referent of "them" is clear to avoid ambiguity. By considering these guidelines, writers can effectively incorporate "besides them" into their writing for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to them

This alternative directly substitutes "besides" with "in addition to", maintaining the core meaning of adding to a previously mentioned group.

apart from them

This option replaces "besides" with "apart from", focusing on exclusion of the mentioned group from a larger consideration.

aside from them

Similar to 'apart from', "aside from" emphasizes a separate consideration, slightly less formal than "in addition to".

other than them

This phrase directly states that the items mentioned are not the only ones, highlighting exclusivity of the group.

excluding them

This version explicitly indicates that the mentioned group is not included in a broader category or action.

not counting them

Focuses on the act of omitting the entities from a count or calculation.

with the exception of them

Formally notes that a specific group is an exception to a general rule or statement.

beyond them

Indicates considerations or entities that exist outside the scope of the mentioned group, often suggesting something more.

on top of that

Shifts the focus to something additional, without directly referencing a set exclusion.

over and above them

Implies an excess or surplus beyond the items or individuals already identified.

FAQs

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

"Besides them" is used to indicate that there are other entities in addition to those already mentioned. For example: "We invited John and Mary, and "besides them", we also contacted Sarah and David."

What's a more formal alternative to "besides them"?

A more formal alternative to "besides them" is "in addition to them". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "besides them" and "aside from them"?

While both phrases are similar, "aside from them" can sometimes imply an exception, whereas "besides them" simply adds to the list. For instance: "Aside from them, everyone passed the test" suggests they might not have.

What can I say instead of "besides them" in a less formal context?

In a less formal context, you could use phrases like "apart from them" or even just add "too" to the initial list, depending on the sentence structure.