Cool MateAlso vs Besides vs Furthermore vs It won't be just
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Also
Besides
Furthermore
It won't be just
| Also | Besides | Furthermore | It won't be just | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːlsəʊ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːlsəʊ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfɜːðəˈmɔː(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfɜːrðərˈmɔːr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəʊnt bi dʒʌst//🇺🇸 //ɪt woʊnt bi dʒʌst// |
| Meaning | in addition to something else | Also; in addition to. | Also; in addition to what was said before. | It will not only be this. |
| Example | She's fluent in French and German. She also speaks a little Italian. | We have lots of things in common besides music. | He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. | It won't be just a simple task; there will be challenges ahead. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | preposition | adverb | |
| Collocations | also known as, also includes, can also be | besides the point, besides this, besides being | furthermore, it is important, furthermore, we should consider, furthermore, studies show | it won't be just about, it won't be just for, it won't be just this, it won't be just a matter of, it won't be just words |
| Antonyms | otherwise, differently | excluding, without | however, nevertheless | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'too' — both mean similar things but are used differently., 'Also' placed incorrectly in sentences — it generally goes before the main verb. | Using 'besides' when 'beside' (next to) is meant., Confusing 'besides' with 'beside'., Incorrectly using 'besides' with a negative statement. | Using 'furthermore' in informal speech too often., Confusing 'furthermore' with 'besides' which can have a different tone., Placing a comma before 'furthermore' incorrectly in sentence structure. | Omitting 'just' makes the phrase unclear., Confusing it with other negative phrases., Using it in overly formal settings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'also' to add information. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it at the beginning of sentences in very formal writing. | Use 'besides' to introduce additional information. It fits informal and formal contexts but is slightly more common in spoken English. Avoid using it at the beginning of a formal document. | Use 'furthermore' to add information in formal writing or speech. It's less common in casual conversation. Avoid starting sentences with it in informal contexts. | Use this phrase to emphasize that there is more to consider. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may be avoided in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Also vs Besides vs Furthermore vs It won't be just
What's the difference between Also, Besides, Furthermore, and It won't be just?
Also: in addition to something else Besides: Also; in addition to. Furthermore: Also; in addition to what was said before. It won't be just: It will not only be this.
Which is more formal: Also, Besides, Furthermore, and It won't be just?
Furthermore is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Also, Besides, Furthermore, and It won't be just?
Also is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Also: She's fluent in French and German. She also speaks a little Italian. Besides: We have lots of things in common besides music. Furthermore: He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. It won't be just: It won't be just a simple task; there will be challenges ahead.
Can I use Also, Besides, Furthermore, and It won't be just interchangeably?
Not always. Also, Besides, Furthermore, and It won't be just 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.