Thursday, May 9, 2019

Nuances of English - besides and by the way

What is the difference between besides and by the way? I was doing an Esperanto exercise on Duolingo and being on a long train journey had time to divert to read a forum. 

Besides means: in addition to that, more importantly, however, you must admit, an item on the side but closely related and ignorantly or unreasonably or actually deceitfully overlooked by you, I wish to draw your attention to this even more important consideration. Borderline aggressive.

 By the way means: 'If I may change the subject, on another matter, this is not really related, but, on the way we are passing something unrelated but since I am here with you may I point it out... . Slightly apologetic. Examples. Don't drink it. It's horrible wine - besides, you are already drunk. Don't drink it. It's horrible wine - by the way, you can have water if you prefer it.

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Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Teacher of English and other languages.

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