as a side line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a side line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an additional activity or job that someone engages in alongside their main occupation. Example: "She works as a graphic designer, but she also writes novels as a side line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As a side line he began importing materials… The N.Y.

The New Yorker

As a side line he began importing materials for ballet costumes and to make the first silk tights and silk stocking in this country.

The New Yorker

And as a side line make money for the politicians to keep those weapons coming.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A wealthy but lonely woman with a side line as an amateur escort was befriended and duped by two career conmen who murdered her and systematically stole all of her worldly goods, a court heard yesterday.

Independent

Nevertheless, it was the block's quirky charm and affordable rents that drew people like Mr. Rodgers, who has a side line as an independent filmmaker with a company called B1L Productions.

The New York Times

If you had told him then that in December 2014 he would be investing to convert an unprepossessing corner property at Didsbury into a restaurant, he would have pictured it as a side-line to his main project in life.

Independent

As a side-line contribution, due to the lack of rare species (e.g. singletons and doubletons), zeta diversity framework still allows us to extrapolate and estimate the number of species in the regional species pool (Fig. 5).

Forest Ecosystems

As a side note, few straight lines in the top left region of the log-log chart are due to malfunctioning of the vehicle sensor system that was not updating the sole value of the instant yaw rate.

European Transport Research Review

As an interesting side line a general remark before going to details: despite extensive metabolism of many xenobiotics in rat skin as will be detailed below, some, such as coumarin (Beckley-Kartey et al. 1997; Yourick and Bronaugh 1997), caffeine, and DDT (Bronaugh et al. 1989), were reported not to be metabolized in rat skin.

Archives of Toxicology

Owners of car parks, such as Apcoa and NCP, see issuing tickets as a lucrative side line.

The Guardian

In ink verso: 7. Bucyrus type / Indiana No. 2 / This shows the bale attach-/ ment, as well as attachment / of side line, also end of / log chains and position / of first roller on ladders.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a side line", ensure that the primary activity is clearly defined or understood within the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She works full-time as a teacher, but earns extra money "as a side line" by tutoring students online."

Common error

Avoid using "as a side line" when you mean someone is not participating or is excluded from an activity. In such cases, use "sideline" as a verb or noun. For example, "Injury sidelined the star player" not, "Injury as a side line the star player".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a side line" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner or capacity in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing examples where it describes a secondary or supplementary activity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a side line" is a phrase used to denote a secondary activity or occupation pursued in addition to one's primary job. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific publications. Related phrases include "on the side" and "as a secondary pursuit". When using this phrase, ensure the primary activity is clear. A potential error is confusing it with the term "sideline", which implies exclusion or inactivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a sideline

Omits the space between "side" and "line", slightly altering the visual appearance but retaining the same meaning.

on the side

A more concise and common way to express the idea of doing something in addition to one's main job.

as a secondary pursuit

Highlights the subordinate nature of the activity compared to the primary one.

as an additional occupation

Formally emphasizes that the activity is another job or source of income.

as a supplementary activity

Underscores the supporting role of the activity in relation to the main one.

as a side business

Specifically refers to a commercial activity done in addition to a main job.

in addition to their main job

More explicitly states the relationship between the secondary activity and the primary job.

as a secondary source of income

Focuses on the financial aspect of the additional activity.

as a hobby that generates income

Indicates that the side activity started as a hobby but now provides income.

as an avocational pursuit

A more formal way of saying the activity is pursued as a hobby.

FAQs

What does "as a side line" mean?

The phrase "as a side line" refers to an additional activity or job that someone does alongside their primary occupation or main source of income. It implies a secondary or supplementary role.

Is "as a side line" the same as "on the side"?

While similar, "as a side line" and "on the side" are not always interchangeable. "On the side" can sometimes imply secrecy or informality, whereas "as a side line" generally denotes a more openly acknowledged secondary activity.

What are some alternatives to "as a side line"?

Alternatives include "as a sideline", "as a secondary pursuit", or "as an additional occupation", depending on the context.

How can I use "as a side line" in a sentence?

You might say, "He works as an accountant during the day, but runs a small woodworking business "as a side line"".