Cool MateAmongst other things vs Besides
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amongst other things
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Besides
Top 2,000 (common)B2preposition
Most common: Besides
| Amongst other things | Besides | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈmʌŋst ˈʌðə θɪŋz//🇺🇸 //əˈmʌŋst ˈʌðər θɪŋz// | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/ |
| Meaning | In addition to other items or points | Also; in addition to. |
| Example | He mentioned, amongst other things, the need for better infrastructure. | We have lots of things in common besides music. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | preposition | |
| Collocations | mentioned amongst other things, includes amongst other things, discussed amongst other things | besides the point, besides this, besides being |
| Antonyms | - | excluding, without |
| Common mistakes | Misused as 'among other things' without 'st' in formal contexts., Confused with similar phrases like 'among other reasons'., Omitted necessary commas when used in longer sentences. | Using 'besides' when 'beside' (next to) is meant., Confusing 'besides' with 'beside'., Incorrectly using 'besides' with a negative statement. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal writing or spoken contexts to introduce a list or examples. Avoid in very casual conversations. | 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: Amongst other things vs Besides
What's the difference between Amongst other things and Besides?
Amongst other things: In addition to other items or points Besides: Also; in addition to.
Which is more common: Amongst other things and Besides?
Besides is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Amongst other things: He mentioned, amongst other things, the need for better infrastructure. Besides: We have lots of things in common besides music.
Can I use Amongst other things and Besides interchangeably?
Not always. Amongst other things 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.