Beside vs Besides | Next To or In Addition?
The words differ by one letter, but the relationship is different. Choose beside when a person, place or object is physically next to another. Choose besides when the sentence adds another person, item, cost, benefit, requirement or point.
In addition to, also or furthermore = besides
Choose beside
Use beside when two people, places or objects are physically next to each other, such as a desk beside a window, a seat beside a colleague or equipment beside a cabinet.
Choose besides
Use besides when the sentence adds another person, document, cost, service, benefit, requirement, reason or point to something already mentioned.
Find the relationship anchor
Do not decide from the final s. Read the words around the blank and identify whether they build a physical next-to picture or add another person, item or point.
The floor plan places the copier directly next to the supply cabinet, so it should be installed ___ the cabinet.
Answer: besidedirectly next to the supply cabinet, is the anchor. “directly next to the supply cabinet,” is the anchor. The floor plan creates a clear physical-position picture. Use “beside” for a physical position meaning next to a person, place, or object. “Besides” adds another item, person, or point, which is not the relationship required here.
The conference package includes several extra services; ___ lunch, participants receive airport transfers.
Answer: besidesincludes several extra services; is the anchor. “includes several extra services;” is the anchor. The sentence introduces more than one included service. Use “besides” for in addition to, adding another person, item, cost, benefit, requirement, or point. “Beside” means physically next to, which is not the relationship required here.
The drill contains 2 untimed Warm-Up questions, 5 timed Anchor Drill questions and 5 timed New Context questions.
What your result shows
Your result shows whether you can separate a physical next-to position from an additional person, item or point under time pressure. In Review, check the relationship anchor rather than the one-letter spelling difference.
If you missed beside
Build the physical picture. Look for two people, places or objects positioned next to each other, such as a desk and a window, a seat and a colleague, or equipment and a cabinet.
If you missed besides
Look for another person, document, cost, service, benefit, requirement, reason or point being added to something already mentioned. These signals point to in addition to, also or furthermore.
If you chose from the final s
Decide the relationship first. A physical next-to position points to beside. An additional person, item or point points to besides.
Use Review in this order: check the correct answer, find the controlling relationship anchor, decide next to versus in addition, and then read the reusable pattern.