Beside vs Besides: English In A Minute

Hi, I'm Phil, and I'm going to tell you the

difference between 'beside' and 'besides'.

And it's one small letter, but it's quite a big difference.

'Beside' (with no 's') is a preposition, and

we usually use it to talk about physical position.

So, you can say: 'Put the chair beside the table.'

Or: 'Come and sit beside me.'

It's like a more formal version of 'next to'

Now, 'besides' (with an s) is either a preposition

or an adverb, and is often used to add information.

'Besides knowing grammar well, you need to

have a good vocabulary.'

'You should do something else besides studying.'

Here it's like 'as well as'

As an adverb, it's often used to add a more

important or stronger point.

'I'm going to practise now because I've got

time and besides, I need to!'

It's like a less-formal version of 'moreover'

So, besides remembering that 'beside' is for

physical position, remember that 'besides' is

for adding information.