besides which

USAGE SUMMARY

"besides which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce another idea in addition to what you have already said. For example: "I have already finished two of the tasks, besides which I will need to complete three more before the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"A quick change of place will do you good," Laxmi insisted gently, "besides which, I haven't seen you in years".

The New Yorker

So does talk radio, especially the shock jock variety, besides which Fox TV looks relatively respectable.

The Guardian

And they have something else besides, which is a genuine interest in sculptural form.

Independent

"That does a terrific job of sealing the roof," she said, besides which "it's better than putting in a bucket".

The New York Times

That's a problem because the two have a failed romantic relationship, besides which she's engaged to a baseball star.

The New York Times

The four-hundred-billion-dollar price tag struck Toomey as too high, besides which he didn't trust the figures.

The New Yorker

It was already explained above why this is not inflationary, besides which the new money would be in China.

Forbes

And besides which, I'm not trying to play a guy who's 35 or 40 years old.

Los Angeles Times

Besides which, Proust already did it.

The New York Times - Books

Besides which, he was advertising soup.

The New York Times

Besides which, Franny's does more.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "besides which", ensure the added information is relevant and contributes meaningfully to the ongoing discussion or argument.

Common error

While "besides which" is grammatically correct, it can come across as informal or conversational in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "furthermore" or "moreover" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides which" functions as a conjunctive adverb, connecting two independent clauses. It introduces an additional reason or piece of information that supports or expands upon the preceding statement. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts to add supplementary points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Besides which" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunction phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to introduce additional information or reasoning to support a previous statement. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register, making it less suitable for strictly formal or academic writing where alternatives like "furthermore" or "moreover" might be preferred. The phrase is a common way to add conversational flow and depth to explanations, providing a smooth transition to additional points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition

More formal and direct, lacking the conversational tone of "besides which".

additionally

A more formal and neutral alternative.

furthermore

Also more formal and emphasizes a continuation of the previous point.

moreover

Similar to "furthermore" but can also indicate a point that's even more important.

what's more

More informal and emphatic than "besides which".

also

A simpler and less emphatic way to add information.

on top of that

More colloquial and emphasizes the accumulation of reasons.

as well

Similar to "also" but often placed at the end of a clause.

too

Very informal and usually placed at the end of a clause.

to boot

An idiomatic and somewhat archaic alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "besides which" to introduce an additional reason or fact that supports your previous statement. For example, "The movie was too long; "besides which", the plot was predictable".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "besides which"?

Similar phrases include "in addition", "furthermore", and "moreover". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "besides which" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "besides which" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "in addition" or "moreover" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "besides which" and "in addition"?

"Besides which" has a slightly more conversational tone, while "in addition" is more formal and neutral. Both serve to introduce additional information.