Micro-listening
Beside, Besides, or Except: Choose the Right Word
How do you use beside, besides, and except?
Beside, besides, and except have different jobs: use 'beside' for physical position, 'besides' for an addition or extra reason, and 'except' for an exclusion. The spare keys are beside the front door. Use a comma after 'Besides' when it introduces another complete supporting reason.
Key points
- 'Beside' describes a physical position next to something.
- 'Besides' adds another item, fact, or supporting reason.
- 'Except' leaves one person or thing outside a group.
- The final s changes 'beside' into a different word.
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At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| beside | Shows physical location or position next to something. | The vase is beside the window. |
| besides | Adds another person, thing, or supporting reason. | Besides maths, she studies French. |
| except | Excludes a person or thing from a group. | Everyone except Tom arrived. |
| Besides, | Introduces an additional reason in a complete sentence. | Besides, the journey is expensive. |
The full explanation
Beside is a preposition that means next to or at the side of another person or object. Besides functions as a preposition meaning in addition to, or as a transition word that introduces another supporting reason. Except is a preposition meaning excluding or apart from, pointing directly to the member that does not belong to the stated group.
The printer sits beside the paper cabinet in the main hallway.
Why it works: Beside identifies the physical location of the printer next to the cabinet.
3 more examples
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Besides Spanish, our receptionist speaks fluent Portuguese and French.
Besides adds Portuguese and French to the speaker's knowledge of Spanish.
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All team members except Rachel attended the safety training session.
Except excludes Rachel from the group that attended the session.
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I decided not to buy the jacket because it was too large. Besides, the fabric felt uncomfortable.
Besides introduces an additional supporting reason and is followed by a comma.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exercise
Choose Beside When Showing Physical Location
Use beside when you want to explain that one person, object, or place is next to another. It functions as a preposition of place and describes physical distance or side-by-side positioning in the real world. In everyday speech and workplace conversations, you can almost always replace beside with the phrase next to without altering your core meaning. Placing beside before a noun phrase helps your listener picture the exact spatial arrangement of furniture, office tools, buildings, or seated colleagues.
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Please place the projector beside the presenter's podium before our seminar starts.
Why it works: Beside indicates the spatial position of the projector directly next to the podium.
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Marcus sat beside his project partner throughout the morning workshop.
Why it works: Beside describes where Marcus sat in relation to his partner.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly describes where an item sits in an office?
Answer: The recycling bin sits beside the copy machine in the print room.
Show the answer
Answer: The recycling bin sits beside the copy machine in the print room.
Beside is the correct preposition of place to show that the bin is next to the copy machine.
Choose Besides When Adding Another Item
Choose besides when your goal is to add an extra person, item, or activity to a list you have already introduced. In this role, besides works as a preposition meaning in addition to or as well as. It tells your reader that the noun following it is part of a larger total rather than a physical location. You will frequently hear this structure in business discussions when summarizing expenses, team capabilities, project deliverables, or personal skills.
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Besides the weekly newsletter, our department produces a quarterly magazine.
Why it works: Besides shows that the magazine is produced in addition to the weekly newsletter.
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Besides graphic design, Elena handles video editing for our client accounts.
Why it works: Besides adds video editing to Elena's existing graphic design responsibilities.
You can practise this again in Adapt or adopt: choose the right verb and Collective nouns: choose the right group.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly adds an extra qualification to a candidate's background?
Answer: Besides project management, David has five years of experience in data analysis.
Show the answer
Answer: Besides project management, David has five years of experience in data analysis.
Besides means in addition to, making it the appropriate choice when adding skills together.
Choose Except When Leaving Something Out
Use except when you need to state that a specific person, thing, or time period does not belong to a general group or rule. Except acts as a preposition meaning not including, apart from, or excluding. It commonly follows inclusive words such as all, every, everyone, everywhere, or no one. The word following except represents the single omission or exception, while every other member of the mentioned group remains included in the statement.
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Our customer service helpline is open every day except Sunday.
Why it works: Except removes Sunday from the group of days when the helpline operates.
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Everyone except Nathan signed the greeting card for our retiring manager.
Why it works: Except identifies Nathan as the one individual who did not sign the card.
Your turn
Which sentence clearly excludes one team member from attending an event?
Answer: All regional supervisors except Chloe will attend the annual conference in Chicago.
Show the answer
Answer: All regional supervisors except Chloe will attend the annual conference in Chicago.
Except directly identifies Chloe as the excluded individual from the group of supervisors.
Check the Final S Before Writing
Because beside and besides differ by only a single letter, English learners occasionally treat them as interchangeable spellings or singular and plural variations. They are distinct words with unrelated meanings. Beside without an s always points to location, whereas besides with an s signals an addition or an extra point. Before completing a sentence, pause and ask yourself whether you are describing physical space or adding information. This simple mental check prevents confusing your reader with unintended meanings.
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The new coffee maker is beside the water dispenser in the staff breakroom.
Why it works: No final s is used because the sentence describes physical location.
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Besides coffee, the staff breakroom offers several types of herbal tea.
Why it works: The final s is necessary because tea is added to the available beverages.
Your turn
Which sentence demonstrates the correct distinction between spatial position and addition?
Answer: The desk lamp sits beside my computer, and besides my computer, I keep a notepad.
Show the answer
Answer: The desk lamp sits beside my computer, and besides my computer, I keep a notepad.
Beside describes the physical spot next to the computer, while besides introduces the additional notepad.
Use Besides at the Beginning for Another Reason
Besides can introduce a complete sentence when you want to provide an additional argument or explanation that reinforces your previous statement. In this position, besides functions as a linking adverb meaning moreover, furthermore, or also. You should place a comma directly after besides when it introduces an independent clause. This construction helps you strengthen your reasoning during discussions, negotiations, or personal decisions without repeating earlier points.
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I prefer not to walk to the station tonight because it is raining. Besides, the bus stop is much closer to our building.
Why it works: Besides introduces an extra practical reason and is followed by a comma.
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We decided not to purchase that software suite because the subscription price was excessive. Besides, our current program meets our needs.
Why it works: Besides adds a second supporting reason for declining the software subscription.
Your turn
Which sentence correctly uses besides to introduce an extra supporting reason?
Answer: We should postpone our outdoor picnic. Besides, the weather forecast predicts heavy rain.
Show the answer
Answer: We should postpone our outdoor picnic. Besides, the weather forecast predicts heavy rain.
Besides is followed by a comma to present an additional supporting reason.
Pick Except Instead of Besides for Clear Exclusions
In informal spoken English, you may occasionally hear native speakers use besides to mean except for, particularly after negative pronouns like nothing or nobody. While grammatically documented, this usage often creates ambiguity because listeners must determine whether the speaker means in addition to or excluding. Choosing except eliminates any potential misunderstanding by stating the exclusion plainly. Clear workplace writing and academic English consistently favor except when identifying exclusions.
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Nobody except the facility manager has access to the main electrical panel.
Why it works: Except provides an unambiguous exclusion indicating that only the manager has access.
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All scheduled flights except the evening departure to Boston left on time.
Why it works: Except clearly excludes the Boston flight from the list of on-time departures.
Your turn
Which choice provides the clearest and most direct exclusion in workplace communication?
Answer: No employee except Marcus received the administrative login details.
Show the answer
Answer: No employee except Marcus received the administrative login details.
Except states the exclusion directly and avoids the ambiguity of using besides to mean excluding.
Listen for the Final S and Weak Syllables
In natural spoken English, beside and besides both place primary stress on the second syllable: bi-SIDE and bi-SIDES. The first syllable is reduced to a quick, weak vowel sound. When listening at normal conversational speed, train your ear to catch the voiced /z/ sound at the end of besides. In contrast, except begins with an unaccented short vowel and ends with a crisp /pt/ consonant cluster. Recognizing these distinct syllable endings prevents misinterpreting instructions during meetings.
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She sat beside our team director during lunch.
Why it works: Beside ends with a /d/ sound and carries stress on the second syllable.
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Besides our salary, we receive comprehensive medical coverage.
Why it works: Besides ends with a voiced /z/ sound that signals an addition.
Your turn
What phonetic clue distinguishes besides from beside in natural connected speech?
Answer: The voiced /z/ consonant sound at the end of the second syllable.
Show the answer
Answer: The voiced /z/ consonant sound at the end of the second syllable.
Beside ends in /d/, while besides finishes with a voiced /z/ sound after the stressed diphthong.
Verify Meaning Before You Send Your Message
Before sending an email or submitting a report, run a quick three-step verification on these words. Ask yourself three specific questions: Am I describing where an object sits? If yes, choose beside. Am I adding an extra item or presenting a secondary reason? If yes, choose besides. Am I excluding an item or person from a larger group? If yes, choose except. Testing your sentence against these three functional questions ensures accuracy in professional communication.
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The visitor badge is beside the phone, and besides the badge, you need a photo ID. Everyone except visitors must swipe a keycard.
Why it works: This example shows location (beside), addition (besides), and exclusion (except) in three related sentences.
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We invited everyone except contractors, and besides refreshments, we will provide printed handouts.
Why it works: Except identifies the exclusion, while besides introduces the added materials.
Your turn
A writer wants to say that an extra document is attached in addition to a contract. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: Besides the contract, I have attached our project timeline.
Show the answer
Answer: Besides the contract, I have attached our project timeline.
Besides means in addition to, which correctly indicates that another file is included with the contract.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
The lamp is besides the sofa.Say: The lamp is beside the sofa.
Use 'beside' for a physical location; 'besides' signals addition.
-
Not this:
Beside English, he speaks Polish.Say: Besides English, he speaks Polish.
Use 'besides' when adding a language or another item.
-
Not this:
All staff members besides Priya attended.Say: All staff members except Priya attended.
Use 'except' for a clear exclusion in workplace communication.
-
Not this:
We should leave now. Besides the train is due.Say: We should leave now. Besides, the train is due.
A sentence-opening 'Besides' introducing another reason needs a comma.
Use it naturally
How people really use “beside”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- sit besideYou can sit beside me on the bus.
- stand besidePlease stand beside the door for the photo.
- right besideThe bakery is right beside the bank.
- beside the bedI keep a glass of water beside the bed.
What people also say
- “beside the window” instead of “at the side of the window”This is a shorter way to describe where something is.
Before you go
Remember this
Check your communicative goal before choosing your word. Choose beside for physical position next to an object. Choose besides when you want to add another item or present another reason. Choose except when you need to exclude someone or something from a group.
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Listening 1 of 4
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Read the transcript
Place your umbrella beside our wooden coat rack near the front entrance.
Beside indicates physical location next to the wooden coat rack.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
Everyone except Arthur drinks green tea during our morning planning session.
Except identifies Arthur as the only person excluded from drinking green tea.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'except Arthur,' listen for 'excep-tArthur': the final t joins the start of Arthur's name.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'except Arthur,' listen for 'excep-tArthur': the final t joins the start of Arthur's name.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
Besides our blue training binders, we also brought extra pens and name tags. The printed schedule sits beside an empty coffee cup near the whiteboard.
Besides adds pens and name tags to binders, whereas beside marks the position next to the coffee cup.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s flows into 'our.' Here, 'besides' adds more items.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s flows into 'our.' Here, 'besides' adds more items.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s flows into 'our.' Here, 'besides' adds more items.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
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Read the transcript
Every volunteer except Isaac came early this morning to arrange chairs. Besides our display screens, we require ten extra stools from storage. Put our welcome sign beside an open doorway so visitors notice it right away. Once our helpers unpack these boxes, we can take an early lunch break.
Except excludes Isaac, besides adds stools to screens, and beside indicates placement near the doorway.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- In 'except Isaac,' listen for 'excep-tIsaac': the final t connects to the start of Isaac's name.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s joins the start of 'our.' Keep that s in mind.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- In 'except Isaac,' listen for 'excep-tIsaac': the final t connects to the start of Isaac's name.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s joins the start of 'our.' Keep that s in mind.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In 'except Isaac,' listen for 'excep-tIsaac': the final t connects to the start of Isaac's name.
- In 'Besides our,' listen for 'Beside-sour': the final s joins the start of 'our.' Keep that s in mind.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Say it your way
Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory about planning a birthday picnic at a lake. Explain where people will sit, what you will bring, and who cannot come. Give an extra reason for choosing this place.
Use: beside besides except
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Hear how someone else might say it
I'm planning a birthday picnic for my sister at the lake. We will sit beside a big tree because she likes the shade. I'll bring sandwiches and fruit, and I'll pack some juice besides water. Everyone can come except my cousin, who has to work that afternoon. I chose the lake because we can swim there. Also, it is close to our house, so we can carry everything easily. After lunch, we will play a few games and give my sister her presents. I think she'll love it.
Try once more and answer this: What will you do if it rains?
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Place your umbrella beside our wooden coat rack near the front entrance.
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- I used “beside”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
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Questions about "Beside, Besides, or Except: Choose the Right Word"
Why does adding an s to beside change the meaning completely?
In English, beside and besides are entirely separate words rather than singular and plural forms. Beside without an s functions as a preposition of place meaning next to or at the side of. Adding the final s creates besides, which serves as a preposition meaning in addition to or a transition word meaning also. Remembering that the extra s adds information can help you select the correct word.
My coffee cup sits beside my laptop on the desk.
Besides coffee, our kitchen stocks green tea and herbal infusions.
Can besides ever mean except, and should I use it that way?
In negative statements or after words like no one or nothing, besides can sometimes mean except for, as in 'No one besides Carlos knew the answer.' However, using besides this way can confuse listeners because besides usually means in addition to. To keep your communication clear and direct, choose except whenever your goal is to leave someone or something out of a group.
No one except Carlos knew the correct passcode.
Every student except Liam finished the assignment before noon.
When should I put a comma after besides at the beginning of a sentence?
Put a comma after besides when it acts as an adverb introducing an extra reason or supporting point for your main statement. In that role, besides means furthermore or moreover. If besides is immediately followed by a noun phrase meaning in addition to, do not separate it from that noun phrase with a comma.
We should take the subway because parking downtown is expensive. Besides, traffic is terrible today.
Besides monthly rent, we pay for heating and high-speed internet.
What is the difference between except and except for?
In most everyday contexts, except and except for are interchangeable after general words like all, every, no, and everyone. However, at the beginning of a sentence, standard English requires except for rather than except alone. Within a sentence following universal words, except is concise and natural.
Except for a brief delay in Denver, our flight went smoothly.
The office is quiet every day except Thursday.
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