Cool MateBesides vs I'll tell you what else
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Besides
Top 2,000 (common)B2preposition
I'll tell you what else
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: BesidesMost common: Besides
| Besides | I'll tell you what else | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈsaɪdz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪl tɛl jʊ wɒt ɛls//🇺🇸 //aɪl tɛl jʊ wʌt ɛls// |
| Meaning | Also; in addition to. | I will share more information. |
| Example | We have lots of things in common besides music. | I'll tell you what else I found during my research. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | preposition | |
| Collocations | besides the point, besides this, besides being | tell you what else happened, tell you what else to consider, tell you what else we need |
| Antonyms | excluding, without | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'besides' when 'beside' (next to) is meant., Confusing 'besides' with 'beside'., Incorrectly using 'besides' with a negative statement. | Used too formally in business contexts., Confused with similar phrases like 'Additionally' or 'Moreover'. |
| Usage notes | 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. | This phrase is often used in conversations to introduce an additional point or idea, making it suitable for casual settings. It may not be appropriate in formal written communication. |
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Frequently asked questions: Besides vs I'll tell you what else
What's the difference between Besides and I'll tell you what else?
Besides: Also; in addition to. I'll tell you what else: I will share more information.
Which is more formal: Besides and I'll tell you what else?
Besides is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Besides and I'll tell you what else?
Besides is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Besides: We have lots of things in common besides music. I'll tell you what else: I'll tell you what else I found during my research.
Can I use Besides and I'll tell you what else interchangeably?
Not always. Besides and I'll tell you what else 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.