|
 The quotation above from George Bernard Shaw correctly uses the word besides instead of the word beside. The playwright apparently knew a thing or two about words.
Besides and beside are two easily confused words—among many.
What words should I watch for?
Learn the difference between these confusing word pairs.
1. already, all ready
Already is an adverb meaning “before or by the specified time.”
The analytics already show an increase in sales.
All ready is an adjective form meaning “completely prepared.” (Use all ready if you can substitute ready alone in the sentence.)
I am all ready to report to the board.
2. altogether, all together
Altogether means “wholly” or “completely.”
The cost of the proposed addition was altogether too expensive.
All together means “in a group” or “all at once.” (Use all together if you can substitute together alone in a sentence.)
The department met all together in the Perkins Room.
3. any one, anyone
Any one means “a singular thing or person from a group.”
You can choose any one of these healthcare plans.
Anyone is a pronoun meaning “any person.”
Do you know anyone who installs lighting?
4. any way, anyway, anyways
Any way means “any route, method, or course of action.”
Is there any way to keep the break room cleaner?
Anyway is an adverb meaning “in any case.” (Anyways is an incorrect form of anyway.)
Anyway, the current mess in there is not acceptable.
5. beside, besides
Beside is a preposition that means “next to.”
Please set the briefcase beside the bookshelf.
Besides is a preposition or an adverb that means “in addition to.”
Besides my workload, I have lots of things going on at home.
Besides, I’m worn out from the sales convention.
6. compare with, compare to
Things of the same class are compared with each other.
Let’s compare my insurance coverage with yours.
Things of different classes are compared to each other.
I’d compare my insurance premiums to protection money paid to the mob.
7. comprise, compose
Comprise means “to contain or consist of.”
The team comprises three engineers and a project manager.
Compose means “to create or form by bringing parts together.”
Three engineers and a project manager compose the team.
8. continual, continuous
Continual refers to something that happens at intervals over a long period.
We refill fuel in the backup generators continually.
Continuous refers to something that happens without stopping.
The workshop needs a continuous source of electricity.
9. eminent, imminent, emanate
Eminent means “prominent, conspicuous, or famous.”
Our CEO is an eminent entrepreneur.
Imminent means “ready or threatening to happen.”
The hostile takeover is imminent.
Emanate is a verb that means “coming from a particular source.”
The aroma emanating from the kitchen was irresistible.
10. explicit, implicit
Explicit means “expressed directly, or clearly defined.”
We provided explicit instructions for running the lathe.
Implicit means “implied, or unstated.”
His implicit motive for asking for a transfer was a personality conflict.
|
