With one meaning for besides, and another for except,
it is easy to show a difference between these two words:
Besides (alternatively given as "beside" in some dictionaries)
as a preposition means "in addition to, or "plus":
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(a)
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Besides "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u," the English
alphabet often uses "y" as a vowel, as in "early" and "myself."
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(b)
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Florida has several industries besides tourism
— citrus, cattle, and the Space Coast, for example.
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(c)
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Candidates need to demonstrate other qualities besides
intelligence; they need to be compassionate and restrained, too.
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Except as a preposition means with exclusion, rejection,
or exception; everything other than; it carries the meaning of "minus":
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(d)
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Brazil borders on every country in South America except
Chile and Ecuador.
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(e)
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The stores in the mall are open every day except
on national holidays.
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(f)
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A year — except those divisible by 4,
such as 1996 and 2000 — has 365 days.
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There is no trouble keeping these clear distinctions between besides
and except.
There are other meanings, however, for besides and except, which can
make these words problematic.
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