a side benefit

USAGE SUMMARY

"a side benefit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is an additional benefit which is not the main or primary advantage. For example, "Being able to work from home was an added benefit, but the side benefit was not having to commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A side benefit.

The New Yorker

That's a side benefit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Backing up files is a side benefit.

The New York Times - Tech

The green color is a side benefit.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's definitely a side benefit".

The New York Times

Eroding the government's authority is a side benefit.

The New York Times

But many freely admitted there was a side benefit.

The New York Times - Travel

(The snail is just a side benefit of dampness).

The New York Times

Nadal said his victory Sunday carried a side benefit.

The New York Times - Sports

Jobs are, in a sense, a side benefit.

The New York Times

As a side benefit, patients don't become addicted to opioids.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a side benefit" to highlight positive, but not primary, outcomes or advantages resulting from a particular action or situation. This adds nuance and acknowledges the multiple potential benefits.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a side benefit" as the main reason for doing something. Make sure the primary benefit is clearly articulated to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a side benefit" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies an additional, secondary advantage or positive outcome separate from the primary purpose. Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a side benefit" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase to denote an additional, non-primary advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the primary benefit is clearly defined to avoid confusion and that the context warrants a neutral tone. Alternatives such as "an additional advantage" or "a bonus outcome" can be considered for stylistic variation. Remember to highlight "a side benefit" to add nuance when a particular course of action has more than one positive outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional advantage

Emphasizes the supplementary nature of the benefit.

an extra perk

Highlights the unexpected and often positive nature of the benefit.

a secondary gain

Focuses on the non-primary nature of the positive outcome.

a bonus outcome

Implies an unplanned and welcome result.

an incidental advantage

Stresses that the benefit is not the main purpose or result.

a fringe benefit

Suggests a less direct or obvious advantage.

a supplementary advantage

Highlights the supporting role of the benefit.

an ancillary benefit

Focuses on the supporting and subordinate nature of the benefit.

an unforeseen advantage

Emphasizes that the benefit was not initially anticipated.

a serendipitous outcome

Implies that the benefit arose by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

FAQs

How to use "a side benefit" in a sentence?

You can use "a side benefit" to describe an additional advantage that results from an action or decision. For instance, "Improving energy efficiency has a side benefit of reducing pollution."

What can I say instead of "a side benefit"?

You can use alternatives like "an additional advantage", "a bonus outcome", or "a secondary gain" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the side benefit is"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the side benefit is" when referring to a specific, identifiable secondary advantage. For example, "The side benefit is that it helps the environment."

What's the difference between "a side benefit" and "a side effect"?

"A side benefit" is a positive, additional outcome, while "a side effect" is often a negative or unintended consequence. It's crucial to differentiate these to accurately convey the impact of an action or decision.