Sunday, December 30, 2018

Can I say 'What words can I use outside of X and Y'?


Based on the question: *What words can I use outside of "sourpuss" or "Debbie Downer"?


Beside some other misspelling in its full title, I understand what the OP's outside of means, but it sounds to me as if something is coming out of a "sourpuss"! So I edited the title, replacing the word outside of with beside. Soon it was re-edited (from beside) into other than.


Both of beside and other than sound fine to me, but outside of does not.


Is what I understand is correct (that outside of should be avoided in this case)? or it already is a correct usage?



Answer



outside of is perfectly fine in this case. It may be of a slightly lower register than alternatives like "other than" but it is often used in the same register as expressions like north of meaning more than.



outside of : except for something; besides something. Outside of the cost of my laundry, I have practically no expenses. Outside of some new shoes, I don't need any new clothing.




I think my preferred translation in this case would be: other than


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