what besides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what besides" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about additional items or options beyond what has already been mentioned. Example: "What besides the main course do you recommend for dinner?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What besides technique does Mr. Johnson care most deeply about?

The New York Times - Arts

What, besides alcohol, did you consume at that party?

The New Yorker

And what besides jet-set hideaways lay hidden there?

The New York Times - Travel

But what, besides defending us from villains, is he about?

The New York Times

We've got Lillian Gish in 'Romola.' What besides 'Romola'?

The New Yorker

What, besides greed, explains the flagrancies of the period?

The New Yorker

But what besides cyanosis could do this to an otherwise healthy teenage girl?

The New York Times

What, besides courage, has enabled Mr. Mangezo to sit there with his persecutors?

The New York Times - Books

And what, besides cash, might Chloe have wanted out of their business arrangement?

The New York Times

What besides national catastrophe has been linked to such natural sex selection?

The New York Times

What, besides cleverly revising the old interior designs, might Ms. Sigurdardottir's constructions mean?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what besides", ensure the context clearly establishes what is already being considered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what besides" when a simpler "what else" or "what other" would suffice. "What besides coffee do you want?" can often be more effectively phrased as "What else do you want besides coffee?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what besides" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase used to solicit additional information or considerations beyond a known or stated element. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It prompts exploration of alternatives or supplementary details, evident in examples like, "What, besides courage, has enabled Mr. Mangezo to sit there with his persecutors?".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what besides" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase that seeks to uncover additional elements or considerations beyond what is already known. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, it encourages comprehensive thinking and challenges assumptions. To maximize clarity, ensure the context establishes what is already being considered, and avoid overuse in situations where simpler alternatives like "what else" suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what else

This alternative is more concise and general, suitable for most situations where additional information is sought.

what other

Similar to 'what else', this emphasizes the existence of other options or possibilities.

aside from what

This phrase sets up a clear exclusion of the mentioned item before inquiring about additions.

apart from what

Functions similarly to 'aside from what', highlighting exclusion and then seeking additional information.

other than what

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a contrast with the excluded item.

in addition to what

Focuses on accumulation, asking for items to be added to what is already known.

beyond what

Suggests exploring aspects or possibilities that exceed the current understanding.

besides that what

This option is slightly more verbose while retaining a similar core meaning.

on top of what

Implies adding more to an existing list or situation, often used informally.

what more

Concise and direct, this seeks further details or elements linked to the initial subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what besides" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "apart from what" or "aside from what". These options offer a more sophisticated way to inquire about additional information or considerations.

Is it always necessary to specify what's already included when using "what besides"?

Yes, it is important that the context makes clear what is already being considered. Otherwise, using "what else" might be more appropriate.

Can I use "what besides" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "what besides" can effectively begin a sentence to pose a question about additional elements. For example: "What besides financial compensation motivates your team?"

What's the difference between "what besides" and "what else"?

"What besides" explicitly acknowledges something already mentioned or understood, while "what else" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply prior context. For example: "We have cake. What besides cake do you want?" uses "what besides" to build off of cake being already offered.