Vocabulary · Free lesson
Beside or besides: a place or an extra point?
One extra letter can turn a location into an addition. Decide what you want to say before choosing the spelling.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Beside means next to in a place description: The bag is beside the desk. Besides adds something: Besides coffee, we serve tea. The final s changes the word’s meaning; it is not a plural ending.
Beside locates. Besides adds.
The chair beside the window tells us where the chair is. Besides the window, we cleaned the door tells us that we cleaned both. Besides can also add a whole reason: I don’t want to drive. Besides, the parking is expensive. Here it means moreover or in addition, not next to.
Compare the examples
The chair is beside the window.
Besides the window, we cleaned the door.
Besides, the parking is expensive.
Use beside with both singular and plural nouns: beside the chair, beside the chairs. The number of chairs does not decide whether you add s to beside.
Build the meaning step by step
Ask where
The lamp is beside the sofa.
Ask what else
Besides the lamp, we bought a rug.
Add another point
Besides, the rug was on sale.
Try it now
Choose the intended meaning
Read all answers and explanations
The umbrella is physically next to the door. Complete: It is ___ the door.
besideBeside gives the stated next-to position. Besides adds information; inside changes the location.
We serve tea and also juice. Complete: ___ tea, we serve juice.
BesidesBesides adds juice without removing tea. Instead of would say juice replaces tea.
Add a second reason: I’m too tired to go out. ___, it’s raining.
BesidesBesides introduces an additional reason. Beside cannot link these sentences this way; instead signals replacement.
Put it into practice
Keep both meals on the list
The café serves breakfast and lunch. Repair the sentence to add lunch without removing breakfast or describing a position.
Beside breakfast, the café serves lunch.
See a model answer
Besides breakfast, the café serves lunch.
The final s is part of the adding word, not an agreement ending.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can besides come before an activity?
Yes. Use an ing form when the activity follows this preposition. It adds another activity or fact.
Besides cycling, I enjoy swimming.
Can I use next to instead of beside?
Yes, for the literal position taught here. Next to is a common everyday choice. It does not replace besides when you mean in addition.
The chair is next to the window.
Take it into your day
Choose the meaning first: beside for this location, besides for this addition.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Use vocabulary inside clear sentences.
A small word choice can change a whole message. The available English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course develops broader vocabulary, grammar and sentence-building foundations for everyday communication.
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