Personal projects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Personal projects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individual initiatives or tasks that someone undertakes outside of their professional responsibilities, often for personal growth or interest. Example: "In my free time, I like to work on personal projects such as painting and coding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Personal projects: We gutted our apartment on 11th Street.

The New York Times

Personal projects of fellows may include manuscripts, performance pieces, album work, curriculum planning, primary archival research and exhibition preparation.

Los Angeles Times

Personal projects need to be placed in your namespace.

WikiHow

In 2008, I left to pursue personal projects, including Muxtape.

The New Yorker

Now he can give his time to personal projects.

The New York Times - Arts

He may also spend more time on smaller, more personal projects.

The New Yorker

He eventually left The A.P. to devote more time to personal projects.

The New York Times

Some artists are able to do their personal projects while on the job.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Brichter left Twitter almost a year ago to start working on personal projects.

The New York Times

The course is spent presenting personal projects and answering questions on specific issues.

The New York Times - Arts

Crowdfunding, or appealing to the online community for funds for personal projects, seems to be thriving.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing "personal projects" on a resume, quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to demonstrate the impact and value you brought to each project.

Common error

Avoid presenting "personal projects" as equivalent to professional experience. Clearly differentiate them to ensure transparency and avoid misrepresenting your qualifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Personal projects" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to describe activities or endeavors undertaken by individuals for personal enjoyment, skill development, or self-improvement, as showcased in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Personal projects" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to individual endeavors undertaken for personal growth, enjoyment, or skill development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and media, wikis, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. To enhance your writing, quantify accomplishments when listing such projects and avoid misrepresenting them as professional experience. Consider alternatives like "individual pursuits" or "passion projects" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Personal undertakings

Synonymous and can be used as a substitute with no changes in meaning.

Individual pursuits

Focuses on the solitary nature of the activities, highlighting a sense of autonomy and self-direction.

Passion projects

Highlights the emotional investment and enthusiasm driving the activities.

Side interests

Suggests a casual, less formal engagement compared to the original phrase.

Private endeavors

Emphasizes the personal and often confidential nature of the activities.

Self-initiated tasks

Highlights the proactive aspect, emphasizing that the individual takes the lead.

Hobby projects

Suggests a leisure activity done for enjoyment and relaxation.

Independent studies

Implies a more academic or research-oriented nature.

Creative outlets

Focuses specifically on activities that provide a means of artistic or imaginative expression.

Extracurricular activities

This phrase, usually associated with younger people, can be used in situations where someone seeks to grow beyond the normal range of their responsibilities.

FAQs

How to use "Personal projects" in a sentence?

"Personal projects" can be used to describe activities undertaken for personal enjoyment or skill development, such as "She dedicates her weekends to "personal projects" like coding and photography".

What's the difference between "personal projects" and hobbies?

While both are pursued outside of work, "personal projects" often imply a goal-oriented approach and skill-building, whereas hobbies are generally for leisure. However, a hobby can become a "passion project".

What can I say instead of "personal projects"?

You can use alternatives like "individual pursuits", "side interests", or "private endeavors" depending on the context.

Are "personal projects" valuable for career advancement?

Yes, "personal projects" can demonstrate initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills, making you a more attractive candidate to employers. They can be especially beneficial when showcasing skills not directly evident from your work experience.