Difference Between By and Beside

Difference Between By and Beside: By is used as a preposition and adverb with various uses and meanings while Beside is used only as a preposition to indicate a place of action. By shows, the time, place, or an active agent but beside shows only the place.

Meaning of By

By has the meaning ‘close to’ or ‘ at the side of’. It also means ‘not later than’. 

Usage of By

• It is used to connect action that has happened or might happen before the second action.
• By is used in the passive voice to say who did the action. It is also used to denote how a person communicates or travels by train, car, etc.
• By is used as a preposition as well as an adverb with multiple meanings. Some of the meanings are:

Time

For example, Rama, be here by 11 am.

Place

For example, there we have a beautiful lake by the side of the cottage.

Manner of action

For example, Please turn off the door by pulling the lock.

Agent of action

For example, The thieves were caught by the police.

Examples of By

1. We need to be at the station by 11 am.
2. There is a beautiful cottage by the river.
3. You can leave this post by giving a 7-day prior notice.
4. The final notice was given by the Principal.

Meaning of Beside

Beside has the meaning ‘right next to’. Beside is just another synonym of by.  If one thing is beside another, it is next to it.

Usage of Beside

By is a preposition used to denote location. Beside is a formal presentation and thus, not used in daily life. Beside is also used in comparison with or not relevant to or by the side of. 

Examples of Beside

1. Keep the tea beside my bed.
2. My friend sat beside me.
3. She chose small bags kept beside the large ones.

Difference between By and Beside

By	Beside
• This indicates a preposition with various meanings. For example, Hari stood by my side.	• This indicates a locality of reference. For example, Hari stood beside me.
• By indicates time, place, or an agent of action or thing. For example, You all need to come to school by 8 am.	• Beside denote the place of action. For example, She was sitting beside me.
• By can be used either as a preposition or as an adverb. For example, Rama stood by me.	• Beside can be used only as a preposition. For example, Shyam was walking beside me.

Conclusion

Both, by and beside denote the locality of any object. However, Beside tells the location of an object or the place of a thing. By has various uses and meanings, and By is a preposition.