alongside
preposition
UK/əˈlɒŋ.saɪd/US/əˈlɔːŋ.saɪd/
next to; at the side of; in cooperation or partnership with
Example Sentences
She walked alongside her friend through the bustling marketplace, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.
The new software was developed alongside existing systems to ensure seamless integration and enhanced functionality.
They built the extension alongside the original structure, maintaining architectural consistency throughout the property.
The charity works alongside local organizations to provide comprehensive support to those in need.
During the project, the team collaborated alongside external consultants to incorporate diverse perspectives and expertise.
He parked his car alongside the curb, making sure not to obstruct traffic while attending to his phone call.
The river flows alongside the highway, offering scenic views for travelers passing by.
In addition to his main responsibilities, he volunteered alongside his colleagues to organize community outreach programs, demonstrating his commitment to both his work and the local community.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
adverb
UK/əˈlɒŋ.saɪd/US/əˈlɔːŋ.saɪd/
together with; at the side; in addition
Example Sentences
She completed the marathon alongside her sister, both crossing the finish line together.
The chef prepared the main course alongside a variety of delicious side dishes, ensuring a balanced and satisfying meal.
He managed his job alongside his studies, demonstrating remarkable time management and dedication.
The artist exhibited her paintings alongside sculptures from other contemporary creators, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions.
They worked alongside each other on the project, combining their strengths to achieve outstanding results.
The musician performed alongside the orchestra, blending solo pieces with the ensemble's rich harmonies.
She pursued her passion for writing alongside a full-time career, balancing creativity with professional responsibilities.
The volunteers served food alongside providing shelter, addressing multiple needs within the community through their coordinated efforts.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Beside or in parallel, often implying cooperation or parallel action.Use “alongside” when indicating proximity in location, action, or collaboration. Literally, you might say, “Park your car alongside mine,” meaning side by side in physical space. Figuratively, it can refer to joint efforts—“We worked alongside each other to complete the project,” stressing mutual contribution and equal standing. In discussions of teamwork, “alongside” underscores partnership and shared goals, with individuals or groups maintaining their distinct roles but moving forward together. It can also highlight simultaneous progression, like “The organization developed new policies alongside updated guidelines.” Whether showing physical adjacency or cooperative alignment, “alongside” conveys that two or more parties proceed in parallel or tandem, staying close in presence or intention.
Alternatives
Depending on context, synonyms include “next to,” “beside,” “by the side of,” or “in conjunction with.” “Next to” pinpoints direct physical adjacency. “Beside” similarly refers to being right at someone’s side, often in a more casual register. “By the side of” echoes that meaning with slight formality. “In conjunction with” underscores coordination or collaboration, usually in official or academic settings. Meanwhile, “together with” emphasizes shared action, though it can feel a bit broader than “alongside.” Choose your term based on how strongly you want to stress physical closeness, parallel development, or cooperative partnership.
Writing
When writing, specify the manner of adjacency or joint action. In a descriptive scene, “She walked alongside the stream, listening to the water’s flow,” signals location and atmosphere. In business or academic texts, you might note how two initiatives progress in parallel: “The new infrastructure plan was developed alongside environmental guidelines.” Giving details clarifies whether you mean literal side-by-side positioning or a figurative sense of shared progress. For persuasive or analytical writing, pairing “alongside” with concrete evidence—like data or observed outcomes—helps readers grasp how two factors run in tandem. Vary language to avoid repetition: sometimes switch to “in parallel” or “in tandem” for subtle variety. Consistency, though, remains key if you wish to underscore continual or cohesive efforts between two parties or concepts.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, “alongside” might appear when describing joint activities or straightforward comparisons. You could say, “I’ll cook the main dish, and you can prep the salad alongside me,” meaning side by side in the kitchen. Or, “I’m working alongside a new colleague this week,” emphasizing cooperative effort rather than just physical closeness. Friends might mention going on errands “alongside” each other, though “next to” or “with” are more common informally. Using “alongside” casually can add a slightly more formal or focused tone, particularly if you want to stress partnership or parallel action: “We’re jogging alongside each other to stay motivated.” It’s an easy way to indicate that two tasks or people are moving forward together—whether literally, figuratively, or both.
Etymology
“Alongside” combines “along,” from Old English “andlang” (meaning “lengthwise” or “next to the length of”), with “side,” referring to a position adjoining or adjacent. Over centuries, “along” carried a sense of extended direction or accompaniment, and merging it with “side” reinforced the spatial notion of being beside something. This linguistic development emphasizes both lengthwise movement and side-by-side position, merging into a single term that signals parallel placement or cooperation. Today, “alongside” preserves that core image of companions or objects moving or existing in close alignment, be it physically or conceptually.