Cool MateAlongside vs Aside
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alongside
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Aside
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Alongside | Aside | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˌlɔːŋˈsaɪd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈsaɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈsaɪd/"]/ |
| Meaning | next to or together with something else | To one side; not part of the main action. |
| Example | Nick caught up with me and rode alongside. | She pulled the curtain aside. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | work alongside, stand alongside, alongside each other, live alongside, travel alongside | put aside, set aside, step aside |
| Antonyms | apart, separate | together, inclusion |
| Common mistakes | Incorrectly using 'alongside' to mean 'instead of'., Confusing 'alongside' with 'along', which has a different meaning. | Confused with 'beside' which relates to location., In the wrong context, leading to unclear meaning., Using it as a noun instead of an adverb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'alongside' to describe physical positions next to something or as part of a team. It's more formal than 'next to' and may not fit well in very casual conversations. | Use 'aside' when you want to indicate that something is not included in the main conversation or action. It's often used in storytelling or speeches. |
Frequently asked questions: Alongside vs Aside
What's the difference between Alongside and Aside?
Alongside: next to or together with something else Aside: To one side; not part of the main action.
Are Alongside and Aside the same CEFR level?
Alongside: B1, Aside: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Alongside and Aside interchangeably?
Not always. Alongside and Aside are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.