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Cat desk Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

"apart from" vs "other than" vs "aside from" vs "except for" vs "besides"

Hi there, I have a question regarding the usage of "apart from", "other than", "aside from", "except for" and "besides"?

Suppose I have three books A, B and C. My friend knows I have Book A. So if he wants to know how many books I have along with A, Which of the above phrases are correct?
  1. Hey Subha, How many books do you have besides A?
  2. Hey Subha, How many books do you have other than A?
  3. Hey Subha, How many books do you have apart from A?
  4. Hey Subha, How many books do you have aside from A?
  5. Hey Subha, How many books do you have except for A?
I think all of the above are correct But except for. I am not sure. Am I right?

And one more questions, Suppose a contractor who paints houses asks me "Hi sir, do you want to paint your kitchen?" I answer "No, at the moment; I don't think it's need to be painted." Now in these circumstances, which of the following phrases should the contractor use when asks the next question?
  • Contractor: Hi sir, do you want to paint your kitchen? Me: No, at the moment; I don't think it's need to be painted. Contractor: Do you want to paint anything in your house other than/except for/apart from/besides your kitchen?
I think besides is not correct here. the rest of all the phrases are correct. I am not sure. please explain.
  

Top answer

In the first question about books, 1 to 4 are okay, but only 1 is typically heard. 2 to 4 sound overly formal and stilted. 5 is ungrammatical.

— Anonymous

  • In the first question about books, 1 to 4 are okay, but only 1 is typically heard.
  • 2 to 4 sound overly formal and stilted.
  • 5 is ungrammatical.
  • In the second question about the painting contractor, the following would be okay: Contractor: "Hi sir.
  • " would mean that the contractor has already painted your kitchen and then wants to know if you want further painting done.
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1 Answers
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In the first question about books, 1 to 4 are okay, but only 1 is typically heard. 2 to 4 sound overly formal and stilted. 5 is ungrammatical.


In the second question about the painting contractor, the following would be okay:


Contractor: "Hi sir. Do you want to paint your kitchen?"

You: "No, at the moment, I don't think it needs to be painted."

Contractor

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