do anything besides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do anything besides" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when discussing options or choices, indicating that there are many things one could do except for a certain action or situation. Example: I'm so bored during quarantine, I feel like I can't do anything besides watch TV or scroll through social media. In this sentence, "do anything besides" implies that the speaker is limited in their activities and is looking for alternatives. Here's another example: I can't believe you're still stuck on that one idea. Can't you do anything besides obsess over it? In this example, "do anything besides" implies that the speaker is urging the other person to consider other options or move on from their fixation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Do you do anything besides sing in your performances?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I'm not qualified to do anything besides sell books.

The New York Times

"I don't feel it when I do anything besides throwing," Bruney said.

The New York Times - Sports

It also happens to be the second-largest party in the Camera, although its power to do anything besides filibuster is nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Much like Trump won't press Putin to admit to the 2016 election interference, the White House seems to suggest it won't do anything besides ask nicely.

The Washington Post

They and their friends were aimless and restless: They wanted to sit by a pool or hang out at a day club or really do anything besides sitting inside a casino.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

She said if you ever feel like doing anything besides Vogue … We were always looking for ideas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They had hardly done anything besides agree that they probably ought to wait until after the 1976 election, when they were hit with a political tsunami.

The New York Times

"If they can afford the gold elite don't allow them to think about doing anything besides the gold elite," one of the playbooks advised the sales staff.

The New Yorker

"If they can afford the gold elite don't allow them to think about doing anything besides the gold elite," the document states.

The Guardian

The utility infielder Jayson Nix, who was Hafner's teammate on the Indians in 2010, could not recall Hafner doing anything besides dig into the batter's box that season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do anything besides", ensure the context clearly defines the limitation or exception. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "do anything besides" when you intend to convey multiple limitations. This phrase implies a singular exception, and misusing it can confuse your intended message. Consider using a broader term or specifically listing multiple exclusions instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do anything besides" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating a limitation or exception to an action. It suggests that all actions are permissible except the one specified. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and appropriate for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do anything besides" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a broad range of actions with a specific exception. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While many alternatives exist, such as "/s/do+something+other+than" or "/s/engage+in+anything+except", the key is to ensure the context clearly defines the limitation. Keep in mind that this phrase indicates a singular exception and is not suitable for multiple exclusions. Common errors include misinterpreting the scope of the exclusion. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently incorporate the phrase "do anything besides" into your writing. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, demonstrating its wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do something other than

This alternative focuses on specifying an action different from another, shifting the emphasis from limitation to alternative.

engage in anything except

This phrase is more formal, emphasizing restriction with 'except' instead of 'besides'.

perform actions other than

Similar to 'do something other than', it's a more formal and verbose variation focusing on the act of performing.

take part in anything but

Emphasizes exclusion with 'but', making it slightly stronger than 'besides'.

do everything apart from

Shifts the focus to encompassing all possibilities except the one specified.

undertake activities other than

A more formal substitute focusing on initiating actions outside of the specified one.

do anything with the exception of

This phrase is more elaborate, explicitly stating the exclusion using 'with the exception of'.

be involved in anything excluding

This focuses on being engaged in activities and explicitly excluding a specific one.

do anything save for

Uses the archaic 'save for' to indicate an exception, making it less common in modern usage.

be occupied with anything not being

This more complex phrasing emphasizes occupancy and exclusion in a passive voice.

FAQs

How can I use "do anything besides" in a sentence?

You can use "do anything besides" to indicate that a wide range of actions are possible, except for one specific action. For example, "I'll /s/do+anything besides eat that" means that I will consider any action except eating that.

What's a more formal alternative to "do anything besides"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "/s/engage+in+anything+except", or "/s/perform+actions+other+than".

Is it correct to say "do anything except" instead of "do anything besides"?

Yes, "do anything except" is grammatically correct and very similar in meaning to "do anything besides". The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.

What is the difference between "do anything besides" and "only do" something?

"Do anything besides" implies a wide range of possibilities with one exception, while "only do" something implies that there are no other possibilities at all.