Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
BESIDE / BESIDES
As prepositions, beside usually means next to or by the side of whereas besides means except or other than. Beside can also mean irrelevant, and besides can mean together with.
INCORRECT: My dog likes to get up on the couch and sit besides me.
CORRECT: My dog likes to get up on the couch and sit beside me.
INCORRECT: No one beside me was in the house. I was all alone.
CORRECT: No one besides me was in the house. I was all alone.
ALSO CORRECT: Your objection is beside the point.
ALSO CORRECT: Besides being less expensive, this product is also better made.
REMEMBER: Beside can mean by the side of something or someone, and side is singular with no S on the end.
© 2022 Ann Henry, all rights reserved.