a separate career

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a separate career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an additional profession or occupation that is distinct from one's primary job or career path. Example: "After years in finance, she decided to pursue a separate career in art restoration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mr. Simpson had a separate career as a critic.

The New York Times - Arts

"I always had a separate career going," she said.

The New York Times

But he counters: "There shouldn't be a separate career channel.

The Guardian

He also pursued a separate career as a businessman.

The New York Times - Arts

As the most talented musician, with a separate career as an artist, Squire had the least to gain from it.

Independent

In reality, it can affect any kind of parent, whether you have a separate career or not.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Skelton, who has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio and television, also appeared in vaudeville, films, nightclubs, and casinos, all while he pursued an entirely separate career as an artist.

Wikipedia

He also became one of the few jazz musicians to establish a successful separate career in radio and television.

The New York Times - Arts

He was proudest of the obnoxious and untalented lounge singer Tony Clifton, for whom he created an entirely separate career.

The New York Times - Books

And if his marriage and his business had both collapsed, that did not quite represent the totality of Lanier's life: for years, he has pursued a seemingly quite separate career as a professional musician.

The Guardian - Tech

I can't imagine me, and the life I've had, feeling as if I'd been screwed". And if his marriage and his business had both collapsed, that did not quite represent the totality of Lanier's life: for years, he has pursued a seemingly quite separate career as a professional musician.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple careers, clarify the relationship between them (e.g., sequential, simultaneous, complementary). This adds clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "separate career" as equally important as the primary one without justification. Clearly indicate its relative significance to avoid misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a separate career" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "separate" modifies the noun "career". It describes a professional path that is distinct from another one, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a separate career" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a distinct professional path. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples provided highlight its usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. While alternatives like "an alternative career path" or "a secondary profession" exist, "a separate career" effectively communicates the idea of an additional and distinct professional pursuit. It's important to clarify the relationship between the different careers when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an alternative career path

Emphasizes the idea of a different direction in one's professional life.

a secondary profession

Highlights the additional nature of the career, suggesting it's not the primary one.

a side career

Implies that the career is pursued alongside a main occupation, often with less intensity.

an additional line of work

Focuses on the work aspect and its supplementary nature.

a parallel career

Suggests two careers existing and developing simultaneously.

a second career

Indicates a complete change from a previous career.

a dual career

Implies engaging in two distinct professional paths at the same time.

another occupation

A more general term for a job or profession distinct from the main one.

a different vocation

Suggests a calling or strong inclination towards another professional area.

an independent professional life

Focuses on the autonomy and self-sufficiency of a separate professional endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "a separate career" in a sentence?

You can use "a separate career" to describe an additional professional path someone is pursuing alongside or after their main career. For example, "Besides his work as a doctor, he also maintained "a separate career" as a musician."

What's the difference between "a separate career" and "a side hustle"?

"A separate career" implies a more substantial and potentially long-term commitment, while "a side hustle" usually refers to a smaller, often temporary, venture to earn extra income.

What can I say instead of "a separate career"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an alternative career path", "a secondary profession", or "a parallel career".

Is it common to have "a separate career"?

While not the norm, having "a separate career" is becoming increasingly common, especially as people seek more diverse sources of income, personal fulfillment, or adapt to changing job markets.