People often mix up beside and besides because the words look nearly the same. The meanings, however, are not the same at all. Beside talks about position or something being next to another thing. Besides is used when adding extra information or giving an additional reason. A single letter changes the meaning of the whole sentence.
Beside or Besides
- beside = next to / at the side of (location)
- besides = in addition to (adding information) / moreover (extra reason)
Quick examples:
- “I sat beside my sister during the concert.” (location)
- “Besides studying, I also like to play guitar.” (in addition to)
Beside and besides cannot replace each other in a sentence. The meanings are different even though the spelling looks very similar.
Easy memory tip: Besides has an extra “s”. Think of it as something extra being added to the sentence.
Beside
Beside is a preposition. It describes the position of someone or something that is next to another person or object.
Examples:
- The cat is sleeping beside the fireplace.
- Can you sit beside me during the movie?
- The restaurant is located beside the park.
- The book is beside the lamp on the table.
- The car is parked beside the building.
- She stood beside her friend while waiting for the bus.
Beside is not an adjective.
❌ Incorrect: “He is my beside neighbor.”
✅ Correct:
- “He is my next-door neighbor.”
- “He lives beside me.”
Besides
Besides works as a preposition or an adverb. It appears when something is added to the main idea or when giving another reason.
Besides (Preposition) = “in addition to”
As a preposition, besides is followed by a noun, pronoun, or an -ing form.
Examples:
- Besides studying, I also work part-time.
- Besides English, we also offer Spanish and French classes.
- Besides being a great athlete, he’s also a talented musician.
- Besides my parents, only two friends know about the plan.
Besides (Adverb) = “moreover / furthermore”
When used as an adverb, besides often appears at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by a comma.
Examples:
- I don’t want to go to the party. Besides, I have a lot of work to do.
- I’m not interested in the job. Besides, the pay is too low.
- We need to hurry. Besides, we don’t want to be late.
- He doesn’t need the extra help. Besides, he prefers working alone.
Key Difference between Beside and Besides
| Feature | Beside | Besides |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Preposition | Preposition or Adverb |
| Main meaning | Next to / at the side of | In addition to / Moreover |
| Usage | Used for place or position | Used to add information or give an extra reason |
| Example | She sat beside me. | Besides English, we offer French. Besides, I’m busy. |
Last Updated on March 4, 2026
- Accept vs. Except: The Simple Difference (with Rules) - January 14, 2026
- Averse vs. Adverse: Simple Rules to Master These Confusing Words - January 14, 2026
- Advice vs. Advise: How to Use Them Correctly - January 14, 2026
