besides they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides they" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to introduce an additional point or argument, but it should be followed by a subject and verb to form a complete thought. Example: "I don't think we should go to the party; besides, they might not even be there."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And besides, they provide constant entertainment!

Huffington Post

And besides, they ruined one of the best parts!

Huffington Post

And besides, they get incredible people to perform.

Huffington Post

Besides, they never asked.

The New Yorker

Besides, they have little choice.

The Economist

(Besides, they need the business).

The New Yorker

Besides, they needed him.

The Guardian - Sport

Besides, they celebrate a pagan holiday.

The Economist

Besides, they wanted to live in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Besides, they really needed an oven.

The New York Times

Besides, they like their jobs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "besides" with a complete sentence, ensuring a subject and a verb are present. For example, use "besides, they are helpful" instead of just "besides they".

Common error

Avoid using "besides they" as a standalone phrase. This creates a grammatical error. Always make sure that "besides" introduces a complete clause with a subject and verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides they" functions as a conjunctive adverb attempting to introduce an additional reason or point. However, it's grammatically incomplete as it requires a full clause following "besides". Ludwig indicates that it's considered incorrect in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "besides they" is frequently encountered, especially in news and media, yet is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that "besides" needs to introduce a complete clause to be correct. To maintain grammatical accuracy, alternatives like "in addition, they" or "furthermore, they" are preferable. While the intended purpose is to add further support to a statement, using a complete sentence ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Despite its common occurrence, adhering to proper grammatical structure is always recommended for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

besides, they also

Adds "also" for emphasis and improved flow.

in addition, they

Replaces "besides" with a more formal and grammatically sound transition.

furthermore, they

Uses a more sophisticated connector while retaining the original meaning.

moreover, they

Another formal alternative to 'besides' for adding information.

aside from that, they

Offers a slightly different nuance, highlighting a separation from the previous point.

apart from that, they

Similar to "aside from that", but with a slightly different emphasis.

on top of that, they

Provides an informal way to add an additional point.

as well, they

A simple and direct way to introduce an additional element.

beyond that, they

Indicates that the following point goes further than the previous one.

in any case, they

Shifts the focus slightly, suggesting that the following point is important regardless of the previous one.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with the phrase "besides they"?

The phrase "besides they" is grammatically incorrect because "besides" functions as an adverbial conjunction, requiring a complete clause (subject and verb) to follow. Using it alone with a pronoun creates an incomplete sentence.

What are some correct alternatives to "besides they"?

You can use phrases like "in addition they", "furthermore they", or "moreover they" to introduce additional points in a grammatically correct way.

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

Ensure "besides" introduces a complete sentence. For example, instead of saying "I like cats, besides they are cute," say "I like cats; besides, they are cute" or "I like cats. Besides, they are cute."

Is it ever acceptable to use "besides they" in writing?

While occasionally found in informal speech or writing, "besides they" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives in formal contexts.