a hobby of

USAGE SUMMARY

“a hobby of” is correct and can be used in written English.
You would typically use it to introduce something that someone is interested in or enjoys doing in their free time. For example: "Gardening is a hobby of mine; I love to get out into the sunshine and tend to my plants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a hobby of mine!

The Guardian

Collecting prints is a hobby of his.

The New Yorker

"It's sort of a hobby of mine".

The New York Times

Doctoring magazine covers is a hobby of sorts for Gurney.

The New Yorker

Automotive mechanics was a hobby of mine growing up.

The New York Times

Mr. Cole has now made a hobby of renovating boats.

The New York Times

Lang has made a hobby of such displays of skill.

The New York Times

The Hurricanes have made a hobby of collecting Staals.

The New York Times - Sports

"Since I retired, I have made a hobby of it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The illegal drugs were a hobby born of fandom.

The New Yorker

Have a hobby outside of work that makes you happy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hobby of" when you want to casually mention someone's enjoyable activity. For instance, "Photography is a hobby of hers, and she has an impressive collection of cameras."

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "a hobby of" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "enjoys", "is interested in", or "is passionate about" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hobby of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it describes an activity that someone engages in regularly for pleasure. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hobby of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe someone's recreational activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase serves to express individual interests and regular pastimes. Remember to vary your language to avoid overuse, and consider alternatives like "an interest of" or "a passion for" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A pastime of

Emphasizes a leisurely activity, slightly more formal than "a hobby of".

A pursuit of

Suggests a more dedicated and focused interest, implying effort and commitment.

An interest of

A more general term, simply indicating something someone finds interesting, not necessarily an active pursuit.

A passion for

Conveys a stronger emotional connection and enthusiasm than "a hobby of".

A love of

Similar to "a passion for", but perhaps slightly less intense.

A fondness for

Implies a gentle affection or liking, less active than "a hobby of".

A leisure activity of

Highlights the recreational aspect, focusing on free time.

A recreational activity of

Similar to 'a leisure activity of', but slightly more formal.

A favored activity of

Highlights that activity is one of their favorites.

A recreational pursuit of

A formal term suggesting a dedicated recreational activity.

FAQs

How can I use "a hobby of" in a sentence?

You can use "a hobby of" to describe an activity someone enjoys regularly. For example, "Gardening is "a hobby of" my grandfather's; he spends hours tending to his roses."

What are some alternatives to "a hobby of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an interest of", "a passion for", or "something they enjoy". For example, instead of "Collecting stamps is "a hobby of" his", you could say "He has "a love of" collecting stamps".

Is it correct to say "a hobby of mine"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. The phrase "a hobby of mine" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is one of your hobbies. For example, "Reading is "a hobby of mine"."

What is the difference between "a hobby of" and "an interest in"?

While both relate to activities someone enjoys, "a hobby of" implies a more active and regular involvement. "An interest in" simply suggests a curiosity or liking, without necessarily implying active participation.