Common Mistakes : Beside

preposition

:N1

.BAD: We need to discover another source of income, beside oil

.GOOD: We need to discover another source of income, besides oil

.BAD: We went swimming in the river besides my house

.GOOD: We went swimming in the river beside my house

beside = next to

.She walked over and sat down beside me

besides = in addition to; also

?Who did you invite besides Tom and Mary

?Besides tennis, what other games do you play

.I’m too old to apply for the job. Besides, it would mean moving house

:N2

.BAD: Beside of the traditional ceremonies, there are also foreign weddings

.GOOD: Besides the traditional ceremonies, there are also foreign weddings

.BAD: Besides of this problem, her husband had lost his job

.GOOD: Besides this problem, her husband had lost his job

(When you mean ‘in addition to‘, use besides (WITHOUT of

?Who did you speak to, besides Alice

.Beside/s of does not exist

:N3

.BAD: Beside the reduction of unemployment, the government has achieved very little

GOOD: Apart from the reduction of unemployment, the government has achieved very little

.BAD: Besides the goalkeeper, who was a disaster, the team played very well

.GOOD: Apart from the goalkeeper, who was a disaster, the team played very well

When you want to say that someone or something is not included in your main statement, use apart from ,NOT beside/s

.Apart from Peter, everyone had a good time

:Practice

.N1. Wendy came up and sat ………. me
.N2. People choose jobs for other reasons ………. money
.N3. ………. myself, the only English people there were Keith and Doreen
.N4. ………. the ending, it’s a really good film

:Answers

Beside/ besides/ besides/ apart from