do something besides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do something besides" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an alternative action or option in addition to what has already been mentioned. Example: "I want to do something besides just watching TV all weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

He maintained that he wanted to do something "besides talk".

Wikipedia

After two years, however, faced with the prospect of being sent to work in other areas of the country, Beilhart left preaching, maintaining that he wanted to do something "besides talk".

Wikipedia

"It's good to do something besides work to recharge your batteries," he said.

The New York Times

"We wanted to do something besides being lazy-boy liberals," Mr. Esteban, 38, said.

The New York Times

"People selling drugs want some hope that they can do something besides sell drugs," she said.

The New York Times

He reveled in his children's admiration "that their father could do something besides act".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Show them they can get status by doing something besides breaking heads".

The New Yorker

Reminds me of back when music executives did something besides about fret about downloading.

The New York Times

The hill has done something besides make Barber and Comella two of the fittest players on the Giants.

The New York Times - Sports

Some Yankees teased Neagle, who had been with the team for six days, for finally doing something besides being their best cheerleader.

The New York Times - Sports

Until now consumers who bought frontal crash prevention systems – including forward collision warning and automatic braking – had to take the word of automakers that the systems did something besides pump up the price.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do something besides", ensure that the alternative action is clearly defined or implied within the context. This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "do something besides" without specifying what the alternative action might be. For instance, instead of saying "I need to do something besides work", specify "I need to do something besides work, like going for a hike".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do something besides" functions as a verb phrase used to introduce an alternative action or activity. It highlights the desire or need to engage in an action that differs from the one currently being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do something besides" is a versatile phrase used to suggest an alternative action or activity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in wiki articles. When writing, it is important to ensure the context clearly indicates what the alternative action involves, and avoid vagueness for clarity. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "do something other than" may be more appropriate. While the phrase is prevalent and understandable, specificity and audience awareness are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do something other than

Uses "other than" instead of "besides" to indicate an alternative action.

engage in activities apart from

Emphasizes active involvement in activities separate from the one mentioned.

take part in activities besides

Highlights participation in activities that supplement the primary action.

find pursuits outside of

Suggests searching for hobbies or interests that are different from a given activity.

explore avenues beyond

Implies investigating opportunities and possibilities that differ from a current path.

try something in addition to

Focuses on adding another activity to a routine, differing from the main activity.

divert attention from

Highlights shifting focus from the primary activity to another pursuit.

seek alternatives to

Suggests actively looking for different options instead of the mentioned activity.

vary the routine with

Focuses on changing the normal pattern by adding different activities.

expand horizons beyond

Implies growing one's experience and knowledge by doing activities beyond the primary one.

FAQs

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

Use "do something besides" to suggest an alternative action or activity. For example, "Instead of just complaining, let's "do something besides" whine and find a solution".

What is a more formal way to say "do something besides"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "do something other than". For example, "The company needs to "do something other than" cut costs to improve profits".

Is "do something besides" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "do something besides" might be considered informal for strict academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "engage in activities apart from" or "explore avenues beyond" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "do something besides" and "do anything besides"?

"Do something besides" implies a specific alternative action, while "do anything besides" suggests a general aversion to the stated action. For instance, "I want to "do something besides" work" suggests a specific activity in mind, whereas "I want to "do anything besides" work" simply indicates a desire to avoid working.