aside

Meanings

1. 1adverb

   To one side; out of the way, or apart from the main subject.

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'step', 'move', 'put', or 'set'.

   Patterns

   • step aside
   • put something aside
   • move aside

   She stepped aside to let the elderly man pass.

   He put his book aside and listened to the music.

   Let's set aside our differences and work together.

2. 2nouncountable

   A remark made in a low voice, often not meant for everyone present to hear.

   Grammar: Often used with 'make' or 'say': 'He made an aside to his neighbor.'

   Patterns

   • make an aside
   • say something as an aside
   • in an aside

   She made a quick aside to her friend about the speaker's tie.

   The actor delivered an aside that only the audience could hear.

   His aside about the weather went unnoticed by most.

Word forms

Common combinations

step aside

The manager stepped aside to let a younger person take over.

put aside

She puts aside a little money each month for emergencies.

set aside

The court set aside the earlier decision.

as an aside

As an aside, I should mention that the deadline has changed.

Synonyms and how they differ

apart

Apart means separated by distance or time; aside often implies moving something out of the way.

whisper

A whisper is a very quiet voice; an aside is a comment, not necessarily whispered.

Opposites

Word family

aside from preposition

Means except for; e.g., 'Aside from the cost, it's a good plan.'

Commonly confused: aside or beside? aside or a side?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “aside”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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