besides work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate additional activities or considerations apart from work-related tasks or responsibilities. Example: "Besides work, I enjoy hiking and reading in my free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"What else is there besides work?

The New York Times

"It's good to do something besides work to recharge your batteries," he said.

The New York Times

And, he added, "It's much more fun to be in New York, in terms of life besides work.

The New York Times

At social events you don't have much else to talk about besides work, because it's your number one interest.

Columbia University

His father worked six days a week, and, when home, talked about little else besides work and whatever grievances were generated there.

The New Yorker

Throughout the 80s there was nothing to do besides work: just construction sites, factories and dorms where they kept squeezing more people in as the factories became active.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

What has he been doing besides working? he wonders.

The New Yorker

How do you manage your time, besides working a lot? A. I use some forcers.

The New York Times

Q.How do you manage your time, besides working a lot? A. I use some forcers.

The New York Times

We work long hours and there is hardly anything to do besides working, exercising and eating.

The New York Times

And besides, working in entertainment is a lot like extreme sports or camping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing work-life balance, use "besides work" to introduce hobbies, interests, or responsibilities that contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle.

Common error

Avoid using "besides work" when you actually mean "during work hours". The phrase implies activities are outside of professional obligations, not integrated within them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides work" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing additional information about activities, interests, or responsibilities separate from one's primary employment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to show contrast or addition to the professional aspect of life.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "besides work" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce elements of life outside of one's job. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by contrasting it with other activities within work and not mixing up with the phrase 'beside'. Remember, "outside of work" can emphasize timing, while the phrase can also refer to responsibilities or roles outside career engagements. By considering the context and purpose, you can effectively use "besides work" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside of work

Focuses on activities done when not at work, emphasizing a clear separation.

apart from work

Highlights the distinct nature of non-work activities, suggesting a more formal separation.

in addition to work

Adds non-work activities as supplementary, implying work is the primary focus.

outside professional life

Broadens the scope to encompass all aspects of professional existence, not just the job itself.

beyond the workplace

Emphasizes physical location and context, indicating activities occurring elsewhere.

in one's free time

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating activities done during leisure hours.

on personal time

Highlights the individual's ownership of the time spent on non-work activities.

during off-hours

Specifies the time frame when one is not obligated to work.

excluding work

Directly excludes work-related activities from consideration.

separate from career

Emphasizes the distinction between personal pursuits and one's professional advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "besides work" in a sentence?

Use "besides work" to introduce activities or aspects of life that are separate from your job. For example, "Besides work, I enjoy hiking and playing the guitar."

What are some alternatives to "besides work"?

Alternatives include "outside of work", "apart from work", or "in addition to work", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "beside work" instead of "besides work"?

No, "beside" and "besides" have different meanings. "Beside" means next to, while "besides" means in addition to or apart from. Use "besides work" when you mean in addition to your job.

What's the difference between "besides work" and "outside of work"?

Both phrases indicate activities separate from one's job, but ""outside of work"" often emphasizes the temporal or locational aspect, while "besides work" can encompass a broader range of additional aspects of life.