COMMONLY MISUSED WORDS, PHRASES, AND TENSES, 15

THE WORDS OF THE DAY: “BESIDE” VS “BESIDES”

This is “No Bullshitting”, by Harry Agina.

Greetings, folks!

This piece on the confusion between the words, ‘BESIDE’ and ‘BESIDES’ in English grammar is one of those that were spontaneously spurred into life as I listened to culprits on TV. So, I ask, are you, like the inspirer of this blog, one of those people who are not certain about when to use the word ‘BESIDE’ or the word ‘BESIDES’ in a sentence? Do you say ‘BESIDE’ when you actually mean to say ‘BESIDES’, and vice versa? The confusion is not really as bad as it is in some of my previous subjects, but it does exist among a good number of people.

BESIDE is a PREPOSITION, which means ‘NEXT TO’ another object, or ‘AT THE SIDE OF’ another object. Example 1: Emma wants his wife to sit BESIDE him (next to him) during today’s meeting. Example 2: There is a cat beside the table, and not on the table.

And, ‘BESIDES’ with the letter, ‘s’ is also a PREPOSITION, which means ‘IN ADDITION TO’, or ‘APART FROM’ or ‘AS WELL.’ Example 1 (using both BESIDES and BESIDE): BESIDES (in addition to, or apart from) his desire to have his wife sitting BESIDE him (next to him) in the meeting, Emma also wants to be the first speaker. Example 2: John does not want to run today because he is tired. BESIDES (apart from being tired), he also has an injured leg. In other words, in addition to being tired, John also has an injured leg, which is another reason for him not to want to run today.

‘BESIDES’ is also an ADVERB, which means FURTHERMORE, or ‘ANOTHER THING’ or ‘AS WELL.’ Example: As a Communications professional and Motion-Picture Producer, I can write movie screenplays, and a lot more BESIDES. I do trust, that you know, that I ain’t bullshitting ya, meeeeeeeeen!!!

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