ancillary activities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary activities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to supplementary or additional activities that support a primary function or operation. Example: "The company offers various ancillary activities, such as training sessions and workshops, to enhance employee skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

A budget crisis in 1968 led Lincoln Center to cut all of the festival's ancillary activities.

The New Yorker

Development organisations have realised the importance of supporting livestock and its ancillary activities.

The Guardian

It is worth stating this simple fact, because today he is best remembered for his ancillary activities.

The Guardian

Ancillary activities are not considered a PAI process or any part of a PAI process.

Cornell University

Other activities may also be "ancillary activities" for purposes of this definition.

Cornell University

As well as ticket sales, the organisers will be making money from ancillary activities such as selling licenses for catering and luxury camping.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Whitewater rafters might slide a stream as an ancillary activity.

The New York Times

The point is, this unprecedented ancillary activity has all been based around what essentially is just a single episode of a long-running drama.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the casinos of Las Vegas, only 26% of revenues come from gambling, the rest from ancillary activity including shows, dining and shopping, says Gabriel Chan, an analyst at Credit Suisse.

The Economist

But she fears the neighbourhood's younger generation is more tuned in rapping as a form of aggression – notably in rap battles – and, worse, as an ancillary activity to drug dealing.

The Guardian

The F.A.A. is part of the Transportation Department, but is now widely viewed as having been too accommodating to the airlines, which generally saw security as an ancillary activity with no possibility for profit.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ancillary activities" when you want to refer to activities that are supportive to the main activities, not entirely disconnected from them.

Common error

Avoid using "ancillary activities" to describe tasks or operations that are completely independent of the main process. Ensure they have a clear supportive role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary activities" functions as a noun phrase, where "ancillary" modifies "activities". Ludwig confirms its correct usage as supplementary actions supporting a primary function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ancillary activities" refers to supporting or supplementary actions that complement a primary function. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains including news, academia, and science. When writing, ensure that the "ancillary activities" are clearly linked to and supportive of the main activities, avoiding confusion with unrelated tasks. For alternative phrasing, consider "supporting operations" or "supplementary functions" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporting operations

Focuses on the operational aspect of support, rather than a broader range of activities.

supplementary functions

Emphasizes the additive nature of these functions, suggesting they complement the primary activity.

additional tasks

Highlights the extra workload involved, potentially downplaying the strategic importance.

secondary operations

Indicates a lower level of importance compared to the main operations.

related endeavors

Broadens the scope to include any related effort, not just activities directly supporting the main one.

associated undertakings

Formal and highlights the linked nature of these activities.

peripheral roles

Emphasizes the less central position of these roles, which could diminish their perceived value.

auxiliary processes

Specifically refers to processes, which may not always cover all types of activities.

incidental tasks

Suggests these tasks are less important and occur by chance.

complementary efforts

Stresses how these efforts improve or complete something else.

FAQs

How to use "ancillary activities" in a sentence?

You can use "ancillary activities" to describe supporting or supplementary actions. For instance, "The conference included "networking events" and workshops as ancillary activities".

What are some alternatives to "ancillary activities"?

Alternatives include "supporting operations", "supplementary functions", or "additional tasks", depending on the specific context.

Are "ancillary activities" essential or optional?

While not primary, "ancillary activities" play a supportive role, enhancing the main activities. Their importance depends on the context, sometimes contributing significantly to overall success. They can be considered an "integral part" of project success.

What's the difference between "ancillary activities" and "core activities"?

"Ancillary activities" are supportive and supplementary, whereas "core activities" are the primary functions or main tasks of an operation or project. Ancillary activities support core activities.