Cool MateAnyway vs Besides
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anyway
Top 2,000 (common)A2adverb
Besides
Top 2,000 (common)B2preposition
| Anyway | Besides | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/ |
| Meaning | regardless of what has happened before | Also; in addition to. |
| Example | I don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun. | We have lots of things in common besides music. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | preposition |
| Collocations | so anyway, but anyway, anyway you look at it | besides the point, besides this, besides being |
| Antonyms | nevertheless, however | excluding, without |
| Common mistakes | 'Anyway' is often confused with 'anywayS'., Learners sometimes overuse 'anyway' in formal contexts., 'Anyway' should not be separated from the rest of the sentence. | Using 'besides' when 'beside' (next to) is meant., Confusing 'besides' with 'beside'., Incorrectly using 'besides' with a negative statement. |
| Usage notes | Use 'anyway' to change direction in a conversation or to dismiss a previous point. It's informal, so avoid in very formal writing or speeches. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anyway vs Besides
What's the difference between Anyway and Besides?
Anyway: regardless of what has happened before Besides: Also; in addition to.
Which is more advanced: Anyway and Besides?
Besides is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Anyway and Besides the same CEFR level?
Anyway: A2, Besides: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Anyway and Besides?
Anyway: adverb, Besides: preposition.
Can you show an example of each?
Anyway: I don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun. Besides: We have lots of things in common besides music.
Can I use Anyway and Besides interchangeably?
Not always. Anyway and Besides 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.