besides

Everyday

1. Besides means as well as, in addition to: Besides apples, we bought pears. tree →
2. Besides means except, apart from, in negative sentences and questions: Nobody besides Tom came. tree →
3. As an adverb at the start of a sentence, besides means also, and here is another reason. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories, besides adds extra things or another reason to an argument. In writing lessons it is a joining word for giving more reasons in persuasive writing. In maths word problems, besides tells you to add something on. Phrases: besides that, and besides.

Examples

• Besides football, I also play tennis. tree →
• Who else is coming besides your cousin? tree →
• Nobody besides me knew the answer. tree →
• I don't want to go out; besides, it's raining. tree →
• Besides being clever, she is very kind. tree →
• What do you like to eat besides pizza? tree →
• Tom has 4 pets besides his dog, so he has 5 pets in all. tree →
• Besides, Kotick was a white seal. tree →

Note

Trap: besides (with s) means in addition or except; beside (no s) means next to: Sit beside me. In maths, besides usually means add the extra amount, but check for except in questions like who besides.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday talk and stories, besides adds extra things or another reason to an argument. In writing lessons it is a joining word for giving more reasons in persuasive writing. In maths word problems, besides tells you to add something on. Phrases: besides that, and besides.

Examples

• Now they that died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah. (Torah NUM.16.49, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the meal-offering was presented; and he filled his hand therefrom, and made it smoke upon the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the morning. (Torah LEV.9.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• but if thou hast gone aside, being under thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee besides thy husband — (Torah NUM.5.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• But Jehoshaphat said: 'Is there not here besides a prophet of the LORD, that we might inquire of him?' (Prophets 1KI.22.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then I separated twelve of the chiefs of the priests, besides Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them, (Writings EZR.8.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, besides the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; (Prophets 1KI.11.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Trap: besides (with s) means in addition or except; beside (no s) means next to: Sit beside me. In maths, besides usually means add the extra amount, but check for except in questions like who besides.