Beside the Point vs. Besides the Point – Which is Correct?
While both “beside the point” and “besides the point” are grammatically acceptable, “besides the point” is the overwhelmingly more common and idiomatic phrase. It means irrelevant or not pertinent to the main topic. “Beside the point” is less frequently used but conveys the same meaning, though it might sound slightly dated to some ears.
Beside the Point or Besides the Point – Which is Correct?
The distinction between “beside the point” and “besides the point” hinges on the slight difference in meaning that the added ‘s’ brings to the preposition “beside.” While both phrases are used to indicate irrelevance, “besides the point” is the modern, idiomatic, and widely preferred expression. “Beside the point” is grammatically sound and means the same thing, but it is far less common in contemporary English and can sometimes sound formal or even a little archaic.
The core difference lies in how “beside” and “besides” function:
- Beside: Primarily means “next to” or “at the side of.”
- Besides: Can mean “in addition to” or “apart from/other than.” In the context of “besides the point,” it functions with the latter meaning, suggesting something is separate from or outside the main point.
When you say something is “besides the point,” you are literally saying it is “apart from” or “separate from” the main issue, hence irrelevant. While “beside the point” can be interpreted similarly (next to the point, but not on it), the ‘s’ in “besides” reinforces the sense of exclusion or irrelevance more strongly in this idiomatic phrase.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The easiest trick to remember which phrase is preferred is to think of the ‘s’ in “besides” as standing for “separate” or “superfluous.” If something is “besides the point,” it’s separate from the main discussion, or superfluous information. This simple association helps you recall the more common and idiomatic version.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beside the point | Idiomatic phrase | Irrelevant; not pertinent to the matter at hand. | “Whether he’s rich or poor is beside the point; we need to focus on his qualifications.” |
| Besides the point | Idiomatic phrase | Irrelevant; not pertinent to the matter at hand (the more common usage). | “His personal feelings are besides the point; we have a deadline to meet.” |
How to Use Beside the Point
“Beside the point” is an idiomatic phrase used to convey that something is irrelevant or not pertinent to the current discussion or issue. While grammatically correct, it is notably less common than “besides the point” in modern English. It tends to appear in more formal or traditional contexts, and some listeners might find it slightly unusual or dated. Using it is generally understood, but it might not sound as natural as its ‘s’-suffixed counterpart.
Example 1: “Whether the speaker was nervous or not is entirely beside the point; the content of the speech was excellent.”
Example 2: “Your personal preferences are beside the point; we must adhere to the company’s policy.”
Example 3: “The color of the car is beside the point; what matters is its fuel efficiency.”
Etymology of the word Beside the Point
The phrase “beside the point” combines the preposition “beside” (meaning “next to” or “at the side of”) with the noun “point” (referring to the main subject or argument). The literal interpretation would be “next to the main argument,” implying it’s not directly on it, thus irrelevant. “Beside” itself comes from Old English be sīdan, meaning “by the side of.” The phrase gained currency to express irrelevance, though it has largely been overtaken by “besides the point” in modern usage.
How to Use Besides the Point
“Besides the point” is the widely accepted and more idiomatic phrase used to indicate that something is irrelevant, unimportant, or not central to the current topic of discussion. It is the preferred choice in both formal and informal writing and speech because it sounds more natural and contemporary to most English speakers. When you want to dismiss a piece of information as not pertinent, “besides the point” is almost always the best option.
Example 1: “The cost of the materials is besides the point; we need to ensure the safety of the structure first.”
Example 2: “Whether you like the new manager or not is besides the point; you still need to follow their instructions.”
Example 3: “Her age is completely besides the point when evaluating her professional experience.”
Etymology of the word Besides the Point
The phrase “besides the point” uses “besides,” which functions as a preposition meaning “apart from,” “in addition to,” or “other than.” The addition of the ‘s’ to “beside” historically broadened its scope from merely spatial “next to” to include “apart from” or “except for.” Thus, “besides the point” literally means “apart from the main point” or “other than the main point,” clearly conveying irrelevance. This usage became dominant over “beside the point” due to the stronger sense of exclusion provided by “besides.”
Related Concepts
Understanding related grammatical concepts can help clarify why “besides the point” is the preferred idiom and how such phrases function in English.
- Prepositions: Both “beside” and “besides” are prepositions, which are words used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They often indicate location, time, direction, or, in this case, a relationship of exclusion or irrelevance.
- Idiomatic Expressions: These are phrases or expressions whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its words. “Besides the point” is a classic idiom where the combined words create a specific, non-literal meaning of irrelevance.
- Fixed Phrases: Similar to idioms, fixed phrases are groups of words that function as a single unit with a consistent meaning. “Besides the point” is a fixed phrase that should generally not be altered.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The fact that you were late is entirely besides the point when considering the quality of your work.” (Adapted from a business manual)
- “Whether he meant to offend her or not is now besides the point; the damage is done.” (From a contemporary novel)
- “Your personal feelings about the policy are besides the point; we must uphold the law.” (From a legal commentary)
- “The author’s political views, while interesting, are ultimately besides the point of analyzing the literary merit of the novel.” (From a literary critique)
- “His charming demeanor was utterly besides the point; she needed a reliable partner, not just a charismatic one.” (From a romance novel)
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- The cost of the equipment is __________; we need to ensure its functionality first.
- Whether she apologized or not is __________; the incident still caused significant disruption.
- Your past achievements are __________ to this current project; we need to focus on the task at hand.
- The exact time of his arrival is __________; the meeting has already concluded.
- He argued that his personal life was __________ when evaluating his professional conduct.
Answer Key
- besides the point
- besides the point
- besides the point
- besides the point
- besides the point
Besides the Point Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Irrelevant | Not connected with or pertinent to something. |
| Immaterial | Unimportant under the circumstances; irrelevant. |
| Not pertinent | Not relevant or applicable to a particular matter. |
| Of no consequence | Having little or no importance or significance. |
| Off-topic | Not relevant to the subject under discussion. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “beside the point” ever correct?
Yes, “beside the point” is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning of irrelevance. However, it is far less common and can sound dated or overly formal compared to “besides the point,” which is the overwhelmingly preferred idiom in modern English.
Question 2: What’s the core difference between “beside” and “besides” that affects these phrases?
“Beside” primarily means “next to” or “at the side of.” “Besides” can mean “in addition to” or “apart from/other than.” In the context of these phrases, “besides” more strongly emphasizes the idea of something being “apart from” or “separate from” the main point, reinforcing its irrelevance.
Question 3: Why is “besides the point” more common?
“Besides the point” is more common because it has evolved to become the standard idiomatic expression for irrelevance in contemporary English. The ‘s’ in “besides” lends itself more naturally to the meaning of “apart from” or “excluding” the main subject, making it sound more natural and current to most speakers.
Conclusion
In the common linguistic debate between “beside the point” and “besides the point,” the clear winner for modern usage is “besides the point.” While both phrases are technically correct in conveying irrelevance, “besides the point” is the widely accepted, idiomatic, and natural-sounding choice in almost all contexts. “Beside the point” is less frequently encountered and may strike some as formal or archaic.
Pro Tip: To ensure your communication is clear, contemporary, and aligns with common English usage, always opt for “besides the point” when you mean to say something is irrelevant. Using the preferred idiom reinforces your command of the language and helps maintain a professional reputation.
