Beside The Point Or Besides The Point: Exploring the Difference [2025]

Many people often find themselves confused when deciding whether to use beside the point or besides the point. Although these two phrases sound similar, they carry subtle differences in meaning that can affect the clarity of communication. Understanding the difference between the point or besides the point is crucial to ensure effective communication. Both expressions are used to indicate something irrelevant or not directly related to the main discussion, but their precise meanings and usage are important to get right.

For example, imagine you’re debating a company’s marketing strategy in a meeting, and someone brings up the weather forecast. While that might be interesting, it’s beside the point of your conversation. On the other hand, if someone offers additional data that doesn’t change the core discussion but still adds to the conversation, it might be considered besides the point. By learning the subtle nuances of these terms, you can avoid misunderstandings and keep your communication on track.

In this article, we’ll explore the beside the point or besides the point confusion in detail. We’ll look at the exact meanings of each phrase, their differences, when to use them, and give you some real-world examples to help you make the right choice.

What is Beside The Point Or Besides The Point?

To fully grasp the distinction, it’s essential to first understand what beside the point and besides the point actually mean. These two phrases are often confused due to their similar structure and close relationship in terms of indicating irrelevance. However, they are distinct in their contextual applications.

Definition: What Does Beside the Point Mean?

The phrase beside the point refers to something that is irrelevant or off-topic in relation to the main issue being discussed. It’s used to indicate that a certain detail or argument does not contribute meaningfully to the current conversation or line of reasoning.

When you say something is beside the point, you’re signaling that it’s not helpful to the matter at hand. It’s often used to dismiss a tangent or digression that doesn’t advance the primary discussion.

Examples of “Beside the Point”

Here are a few examples of beside the point used in real-world scenarios:

1. Business Meeting:
   “While your concern about the company’s office layout is valid, it’s beside the point—we need to focus on improving our quarterly profits.”
2. Academic Debate:
   “The fact that you studied abroad in college is beside the point; we’re debating the accuracy of your research findings.”
3. Casual Conversation:
   “I understand you’re worried about the weather, but that’s beside the point—we need to finalize the event details now.”

These examples show how beside the point helps steer a conversation back to the main topic by signaling that certain information or concerns aren’t relevant.

Comparison with “Besides the Point”

It’s easy to mistakenly use besides the point when beside the point is correct. Besides the point would incorrectly imply that the information, while additional, somehow still plays a role in the discussion. For example:

Incorrect: “We’re talking about budget cuts, and your thoughts on the project timeline are besides the point.” Correct: “We’re talking about budget cuts, and your thoughts on the project timeline are beside the point.”

Exploring “Besides the Point”

Definition: What Does Besides the Point Mean?

The phrase besides the point refers to something that is additional or secondary to the main issue but does not change or affect the central discussion. It’s often used when you want to indicate that while something might be interesting or important, it doesn’t directly alter the core focus.

Besides the point suggests that the information is not essential, though it may provide extra context or be tangential to the primary argument. It’s used when someone adds a detail that doesn’t directly impact the topic but still might be worth mentioning.

How “Besides the Point” Differs from “Beside the Point”

• Beside the point indicates that something is completely irrelevant or off-topic.
• Besides the point suggests something that’s extra or supplementary, yet still secondary to the main issue.

While both phrases indicate irrelevance, beside the point is stronger in dismissing something as unimportant, whereas besides the point only suggests that it’s not central to the discussion but still has some level of importance.

Origins and Historical Context of “Besides the Point”

The phrase besides the point originated as a way to refer to supplementary details that, while not directly related to the primary issue, could still add context or nuance to a discussion. Over time, it has evolved to signal something that, while not central, adds a layer of information without shifting the primary focus.

Examples of “Besides the Point”

To better understand how besides the point works in conversation, here are a few practical examples:

1. Business Discussion:
   “We are discussing how to improve employee engagement, and while your personal experiences are insightful, they are besides the point right now.”
2. Academic Setting:
   “The historical context of the era is important, but the argument you’re presenting is besides the point in terms of this study’s focus.”
3. Casual Interaction:
   “I know you’re excited about the new movie release, but that’s besides the point—let’s get back to planning the weekend trip.”

These examples show that besides the point signals that something is secondary or additional, but still indirectly related.

Comparison with “Beside the Point”

When we compare besides the point with beside the point, we see a distinction in how the two are used in similar contexts:

• “What she wore last week is besides the point.” This means the detail is secondary but still connected to the conversation.
• “What she wore last week is beside the point.” This means the detail is entirely irrelevant to the discussion.

Beside the Point or Besides the Point?

Correct Usage of “Beside the Point” and “Besides the Point”

While both beside the point and besides the point refer to irrelevance, choosing the right one depends on the context:

• Use beside the point when something is completely irrelevant or off-topic.
• Use besides the point when you are referring to something secondary or additional that doesn’t change the core focus.

Common Errors and Misunderstandings

A common mistake is using besides the point when beside the point is more appropriate. For example:

Incorrect: “That’s besides the point, let’s focus on the issue.”
Correct: “That’s beside the point, let’s focus on the issue.”

The key is understanding whether the information is completely irrelevant (beside) or additional but not essential (besides).

Choosing Between the Two: A Quick Guide

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose between beside the point and besides the point:

• Use “beside the point” when you want to say something is irrelevant or doesn’t contribute to the discussion.
• Use “besides the point” when you want to indicate that something is secondary or extra but not essential to the main argument.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are few exceptions, but in certain informal settings, people may use besides the point even when something is truly irrelevant. However, it’s best to stick to the rule of thumb above for clarity and precision.

The Importance of Staying on Topic

Maintaining focus in conversation or writing is essential, especially in professional, academic, or formal contexts. Using beside the point or besides the point appropriately ensures that your arguments remain coherent and that irrelevant or secondary details don’t distract from the main focus. Here’s why staying on topic matters:

• Effective Communication: Staying on topic allows for better clarity, and using the right phrase ensures your point is understood.
• Logical Flow: Both beside the point and besides the point can help redirect discussions when the conversation veers off track.
• Impact of Irrelevant Details: Irrelevant or secondary information, if not addressed properly, can confuse the listener or reader, diluting the strength of your argument or message.

In professional settings, precision in speech is vital for making compelling points, while in academic or public debates, sticking to the topic enhances the integrity of your argument.

Synonyms for “Beside the Point” and “Besides the Point”

To gain a deeper understanding of how to use beside the point and besides the point, let’s look at some synonyms that can help you describe these ideas in different ways. This can be particularly useful when you want to vary your expression.

Synonyms for “Beside the Point”:

1. Irrelevant
2. Off-topic
3. Not the issue
4. Unrelated
5. Not pertinent
6. Inconsequential
7. Extraneous
8. Tangential
9. Unimportant
10. Unrelated to the matter

Synonyms for “Besides the Point”:

1. Additional
2. Secondary
3. Non-essential
4. Superfluous
5. Unnecessary
6. Over and above
7. Peripheral
8. Extra
9. Not central
10. Beyond the main issue

The Point Or Besides The Point: A Side-by-Side Comparison

A simple comparison table can help clarify the difference between beside the point and besides the point:

Aspect	Beside the Point	Besides the Point
Meaning	Something irrelevant or unrelated to the issue	Something additional or secondary, but still not altering the main issue
Usage	Used to dismiss irrelevant details	Used to refer to extra details that don’t change the main focus
Context	Common in debates or discussions about facts	Used when adding extra, non-essential details in a discussion
Example	“The weather is beside the point in this discussion.”	“His background isn’t irrelevant, but it’s besides the point in this meeting.”

When to Use The Point Or Besides The Point

Knowing when to use beside the point or besides the point can be tricky, but understanding the core difference will help guide you in making the right choice. Here’s when to use each term:

When to Use “Beside the Point”

• Context: Use beside the point when you want to stress that something is completely irrelevant or not pertinent to the conversation or argument.
• Example: “I know you’re passionate about the company’s logo redesign, but beside the point is the matter of budgeting.”

When to Use “Besides the Point”

• Context: Besides the point is appropriate when something is not central to the issue but still adds a secondary or extra layer to the conversation.
• Example: “While it’s interesting to talk about his qualifications, it’s besides the point here because we’re focusing on the team’s performance.”

The subtle difference between beside the point and besides the point can help you focus your discussions effectively, whether in casual conversation, formal debates, or professional meetings.

Everyday Usage Examples of The Point Or Besides The Point

Let’s now look at how these two phrases work in everyday usage. We’ll use beside the point and besides the point in different scenarios to illustrate their meanings.

Example 1: Business Meeting

• “The budget is tight, and discussing personal opinions on the office décor is beside the point.”
• “We can talk about team outings later, but besides the point right now is how we can cut costs.”

Example 2: Academic Discussion

• “The professor’s critique of my methodology was beside the point because it did not address the research questions.”
• “The weather on the day of the experiment is besides the point when discussing the results.”

Example 3: Casual Conversation

• “Whether we had coffee before the meeting is beside the point; we need to focus on the agenda.”
• “Who said what in the debate is besides the point; the argument’s validity is what matters.”

By practicing with these examples, you’ll be able to quickly decide when to use beside the point or besides the point.

Conclusion: Staying Focused with The Point Or Besides The Point

In everyday conversations, professional meetings, academic discussions, or even casual chats, the ability to use beside the point or besides the point correctly can significantly enhance the clarity of your communication. While both phrases indicate irrelevance, beside the point refers to something that is completely off-topic, while besides the point refers to something additional or secondary that doesn’t change the core focus.

By understanding the differences between beside the point and besides the point, you can avoid miscommunication and ensure your messages remain clear, concise, and focused. Remember to pay attention to context—whether it’s a formal meeting or a casual conversation—and choose the appropriate phrase to keep your discussions on track.

Using these phrases correctly is essential for effective communication. Whether you’re trying to keep a business conversation focused or redirecting an irrelevant tangent in a casual chat, understanding when something is beside the point or besides the point can make all the difference.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to navigate your conversations and arguments with precision, improving your communication in any situation.

FAQs

Which is correct, beside or besides?
Both phrases are used to indicate irrelevance, but beside the point is used when something is completely off-topic, while besides the point refers to something secondary or additional but not essential.

What does beside your point mean?
“Beside the point” means that something is irrelevant or unrelated to the main topic or argument being discussed.

How do you use besides in a sentence?
You can use “besides” to add extra information, such as in, “Besides the weather, there’s nothing else to discuss.”

Is it irrelevant or beside the point?
“Beside the point” indicates irrelevance, meaning it’s off-topic or doesn’t contribute to the main discussion.

Do you say besides the point or beside the point?
You should use beside the point when referring to something that is irrelevant, while besides the point refers to something secondary or additional but still related.

How do you say irrelevant politely?
Instead of directly saying something is irrelevant, you can say, “That’s not central to the discussion” or “That’s not really related to the topic.”