English Lesson: Besides Vs. Except

English Grammar Lessons

Introduction

Welcome to NJCLT's comprehensive English lesson on the differences between 'besides' and 'except'! Understanding the nuances between these two words will greatly enhance your English language skills and enable you to use them correctly in various contexts.

What Does 'Besides' Mean?

'Besides' is a versatile preposition that can convey multiple meanings depending on the context in which it's used.

When used to indicate in addition to or as well as, 'besides' implies that there is something in addition to what has already been mentioned or discussed. For example, "Besides English, Sarah speaks French and Spanish fluently."

Besides also functions as an adverb that can be used synonymously with 'moreover' or 'furthermore' to add further information or reasons to support a statement. For instance, "The book is captivating. Besides, it beautifully illustrates the author's profound understanding of human emotions."

What Does 'Except' Mean?

'Except' is a preposition used to exclude or make exceptions. It highlights exclusions or exemptions in relation to a specific group, condition, or circumstance.

When we use 'except,' we are indicating something that is not included, or something that is not part of a particular category. For example, "All students passed the exam, except for John."

Additionally, 'except' can function as a conjunction when used at the beginning of a sentence. It introduces a clause that expresses exclusion or exception. For instance, "Except for the rainy weather, the picnic was a success."

Distinguishing between 'Besides' and 'Except'

While 'besides' and 'except' may seem similar, it is crucial to understand their distinct usage to avoid any confusion. Let's delve deeper into their differences:

Usage of 'Besides'

1. In Addition To: 'Besides' indicates something that is added or included, contributing to the existing pool of items or information.

2. Furthermore: 'Besides' can be used to introduce additional information or reasons that support a statement.

3. Besides Myself: 'Besides' is also used to express exceptions or exclusions of oneself from a particular group or decision.

Usage of 'Except'

1. Exclusions and Exceptions: 'Except' is used to indicate exclusions or exemptions from a certain condition, group, or circumstance.

2. But For: 'Except' can be used to express what would have happened if it weren't for a specific condition or situation.

Examples in Context

To solidify your understanding, here are a few examples of 'besides' and 'except' used correctly in various contexts:

Examples of 'Besides'

  • 1. Besides English, Sarah speaks French and Spanish fluently. (In addition to English, Sarah knows French and Spanish as well.)
  • 2. The party was fantastic! Besides, it was beautifully decorated. (The party was amazing, and it was adorned with beautiful decorations.)
  • 3. I enjoy many hobbies besides painting, such as reading and playing the piano. (Apart from painting, I have additional hobbies like reading and playing the piano.)

Examples of 'Except'

  • 1. All the children ate the cake except for Tom, who is allergic to chocolate. (Everyone consumed the cake except for Tom, who couldn't have it due to his chocolate allergy.)
  • 2. I would have passed the exam except for the unexpected power outage during the test. (I could have passed the exam if there hadn't been a sudden power outage.)
  • 3. Everyone attended the meeting except for James, who was feeling unwell. (All individuals were present at the meeting, except James, who couldn't attend due to illness.)

Enhance Your English Language Skills with NJCLT

Mastering the proper usage of words like 'besides' and 'except' is vital for effective communication. NJCLT is here to help you enhance your English language skills through our comprehensive lessons and tutorials. Whether you want to improve your vocabulary, grammar, or spoken English, our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to become fluent in the English language. Visit NJCLT today and embark on a language-learning journey enriched with exceptional expertise and personalized attention.

Tsutada Tsuyoshi

Thanks for this helpful lesson! I always get confused between 'besides' and 'except', so this article really cleared things up for me.

Nicole

The similarities and differences between 'besides' and 'except' are now crystal clear to me thanks to this article.

Jessica Dohm

I feel so much more confident using 'besides' and 'except' after reading this article. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Kieron Deane

I never knew the exact differences between 'besides' and 'except' until reading this. It's very helpful!

Amy Holtz

I've been struggling with 'besides' and 'except' for a while, but this article has truly helped me understand the differences.

Arief Hardiyanto

I can't believe how much I've learned about 'besides' and 'except' from this article. It's incredibly helpful!

Jennings Patricia

I've always struggled with using 'besides' and 'except' correctly. This article really helped clarify the distinctions.

Xinjian Guo

The examples provided in this article make it easier to grasp the concepts of 'besides' and 'except'.

Bie Mwengela

I can't thank the writer of this article enough for clarifying the distinctions between 'besides' and 'except' so clearly.

Bill Hammack

I've bookmarked this article for future reference. It's a great resource for mastering 'besides' and 'except'.

Angela Gunther

This article should be on every English language learner's reading list. It's a goldmine of information on 'besides' and 'except'.

Helen Saxton

I never realized the importance of knowing the differences between 'besides' and 'except'. This article has been enlightening.

Brian Tweed

This article makes learning the differences between 'besides' and 'except' fun and interesting.

Info

The explanations are so clear and concise. This article truly helped me understand 'besides' and 'except' better.

Kumar Chinnakali

The concrete examples in this article really helped me grasp the concept of 'besides' and 'except'. Thank you!

Tom Brady

Very informative article. Thanks for the clear explanation on the differences between 'besides' and 'except'.

Barry Cockrum

The article really cleared up any confusion I had about when to use 'besides' and 'except'. It's a great resource for English learners.

Cara Dunleavy

The article effectively addressed the confusion I had about 'besides' and 'except'. Thank you for making it clear.

Michele Myers

I'm grateful for this thorough explanation. It greatly improved my understanding of 'besides' and 'except'.

Ben

The article provided a comprehensive understanding of 'besides' and 'except'. I feel more confident using these words now.

Arvind Prashad

I've struggled with 'besides' and 'except' for a while, but this article really helped to clear things up.

Jimmy Murphy

I never knew there were such subtle differences between 'besides' and 'except'. This article was an eye-opener.

Gwenda Squire

I never knew there were such fine distinctions between 'besides' and 'except'. This article opened my eyes.

Florant Montreuil

The examples provided in the article helped solidify my understanding of 'besides' and 'except'.

Abdelkader Aid

The examples in this article were so helpful in illustrating the distinctions between 'besides' and 'except'. It made everything so much clearer.

Alexandra Boyd

This article has been a revelation for me. I feel so much more confident using 'besides' and 'except' now.

Megan Scott

Reading this article was such an aha moment for me. I finally understand when to use 'besides' and 'except' correctly.

Sonu Kumar

This article should be required reading for anyone learning English as a second language.

John Sifri

Thank you for the detailed breakdown of 'besides' and 'except'. This article is a fantastic resource for language learners.

Instituto Ltda

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive guide on 'besides' and 'except'. It's exactly what I needed.

David Dochter

The article made the differences between 'besides' and 'except' seem so simple to understand. Very well done!

Laura Duvernois

The article really helped me understand the subtle differences between 'besides' and 'except'. Now, I feel more proficient in English.

Bill Dymond

This article deserves all the praise. It's a game-changer for understanding 'besides' and 'except'.

Dean Hodges

I appreciate how this article breaks down the usage of 'besides' and 'except' in a simple and understandable way.

Boris Shnapir

This article is like a secret weapon for anyone wanting to master 'besides' and 'except' in English. Thank you for the clarity.

Lylas Lollipop

I appreciate the effort put into making the distinctions between 'besides' and 'except' so easy to understand.

Ronald Hill

Great breakdown of 'besides' and 'except'. I'll definitely refer back to this article in the future.

Darci Daneshvari

I've been using 'besides' and 'except' interchangeably, but now I know when to use each thanks to this article.

Sarah Thompson

This article is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their grasp of the English language.

Shyama Narayanan

I'm so grateful for this English lesson. I now have a better understanding of 'besides' and 'except'.

Marian G

I've struggled with 'besides' and 'except' for so long, but this article finally helped me differentiate between the two.

John Aversano

I'm so much more confident using 'besides' and 'except' now, thanks to this article. It's a game-changer!

Omar Zaki

I love how this article simplifies the differences between 'besides' and 'except'. It's so easy to comprehend.

Marcos Duncan

I feel like I've improved my English language skills a lot just by reading this article about 'besides' and 'except'. It's very informative.

Dustin Mobley

This article is a lifesaver for anyone struggling with distinguishing between 'besides' and 'except'.

Red Akai

These distinctions between 'besides' and 'except' are now so much clearer to me, thanks to this article.

Zakia Scott

The explanations in this article are top-notch. I have a much clearer understanding of 'besides' and 'except' now.

Patrick Fisher

This article is a true gem for anyone aiming to master the usage of 'besides' and 'except'.

Mike Christian

Thank you for breaking down the intricacies of 'besides' and 'except' so effectively in this article.

More posts