as a side project

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a side project" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example: "She worked as an accountant full-time, but she also dedicated her evenings to painting as a side project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The game started as a side project about a year ago.

TechCrunch

Both attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, keeping the site as a side project.

The New York Times

FFFFOUND The Tokyo design firm Tha started FFFFound as a side project in June 2007.

The New York Times

The Juggling Suns began as a side project at Cass's Cafe, a club in Freehold.

The New York Times

But he imagined it as a side project he could oversee while making another movie.

The Guardian - Film

At first, they worked on the vehicle as a side project.

The New Yorker

He started tracking computer viruses as a side project in 1989, after his work PC was infected with one.

The New York Times - Tech

We started this as a side project — something fun to do and we'd see where it went.

The New York Times

It leads to digital as a side project or an experiment, as opposed to something core to the future.

The Guardian

Bruno d'Alfonso, the winemaker for Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara County, makes the excellent Di Bruno as a side project.

The New York Times - Food

As a side project, he collected footage of crazy spins on black ice; the video is catnip to local news.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or activity that is secondary to your main occupation, use "as a side project" to clearly communicate its supplementary nature and distinguish it from your primary responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid presenting your main job as a "side project". This diminishes the importance of your primary role and can misrepresent your priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a side project" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the manner or context in which an action is performed or a thing is created. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a side project" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to describe an activity or undertaking that is secondary to one's main occupation or focus. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by differentiating it from primary roles and accurately representing the scope of the activity. Consider contextually appropriate alternatives such as "on the side" or "in one's spare time" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the side

A more concise and informal way of saying "as a side project".

as a sideline

Similar to "on the side", but can also imply a source of additional income.

as a supplementary activity

Focuses on the supportive nature of the activity in relation to the main one.

in one's spare time

Emphasizes that the activity is done during free moments.

as a hobby project

Highlights the enjoyable and non-obligatory aspect.

as an extracurricular pursuit

Highlights the activity as something outside of regular work or studies.

as a secondary endeavor

Emphasizes that the activity is not the main focus.

as a part-time venture

Highlights the limited time commitment compared to a full-time job.

as an additional undertaking

Stresses the added responsibility and effort involved.

concurrently

Emphasizes that this is done at the same time of other project

FAQs

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

You can use "as a side project" to describe an activity or undertaking that is not your primary job or focus. For instance, "He developed the app "as a side project" while working full-time as an engineer."

What's the difference between "as a hobby" and "as a side project"?

"As a hobby" implies an activity done for pleasure, while ""as a side project"" suggests a more structured undertaking, potentially with a goal or outcome in mind, though not the primary focus.

Is it appropriate to include "as a side project" on a resume?

Yes, mentioning projects you've pursued "as a side project" can demonstrate initiative, skills, and passion. Highlight the skills and outcomes relevant to the job you're applying for.

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

Consider using alternatives like "as a supplementary activity", "in one's spare time", or simply "on the side" depending on the context.