TOEIC Link Part 5: beside versus besides
Beside and besides differ by a single letter, yet that -s changes both the meaning and the grammatical role the word can play. Beside is a preposition meaning next to or at the side of; besides means in addition to when it works as a preposition and moreover when it works as an adverb. Because the two look almost identical, Part 5 slots the wrong one into a blank to reward a reader who processes shape instead of sense. For another one-letter difference tested the same way, see elicit versus illicit.
The core rule: position versus addition
- beside (preposition) = next to, at the side of — physical position. The printer sits beside the copier. / She sat beside the client during the meeting.
- besides (preposition) = in addition to, apart from. Besides the base salary, the role offers a bonus. / No one besides the manager has the key.
- besides (adverb) = moreover, also — it adds a further point. The venue is too small; besides, it is over budget.
The clue is whether the sentence is about where something is or about adding something. Beside locates one thing next to another. Besides adds an item or an argument.
Why Part 5 likes this pair
The two words fill different logical slots, so the surrounding words usually decide the answer.
The reception desk is located __ the main entrance.
The blank describes physical position, so the answer is beside.
__ the printed report, each attendee received a digital summary.
Here the blank means in addition to, so besides is required.
Spotting the clue in the structure
Ask whether the word marks a location or adds something:
- It means next to or at the side of a physical thing → choose beside (beside the window, beside the road, beside her desk).
- It means in addition to or introduces a further point → choose besides (besides the fee, besides being late, besides, it is closed).
A quick test settles most items: if you could swap in next to, you want beside; if you could swap in in addition to or moreover, you want besides. For another pair where meaning rather than spelling decides the answer, see principal versus principle.
Quick self-check
- Please place the new filing cabinet __ the one by the window. (beside — next to)
- __ the standard warranty, the plan covers accidental damage. (besides — in addition to)
Takeaway
If the blank means next to or at the side of something, you need beside. If it means in addition to or moreover, you need besides. Decide whether the sentence is about position or addition, and one small -s stops competing. To see how this pair fits the wider set of Part 5 traps, start with the commonly confused word pairs master index.