in ancillary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in ancillary" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that is supplementary or additional, but it is not commonly used in this form. Example: "The support services provided are in ancillary roles to the main operations of the organization."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The film has also been making its mark in ancillary markets.

The New York Times

That means HBO makes more in ancillary sales — to international outlets, for example.

The New York Times

In the theatre industry, a range of female director programs have brought women into companies in ancillary roles.

The Guardian

Looked at one way, a music festival, however rich in ancillary events, fails if the central musical elements fail.

The New York Times - Arts

Vornado was interested in owning Equity Offices properties in major markets, but was looking to sell properties in ancillary markets.

The New York Times

In all, airlines raised $7.8 billion in ancillary fees last year, up from $5.5 billion in 2008.

The New York Times

If it catches on, it could also open a new revenue source for the company, in ancillary educational products.

The New York Times

It will bring jobs in ancillary services; and the extra money could, if used wisely, ease some pressing problems.

The Economist

The proposal would embrace not only those who lose their jobs when factories close but workers in ancillary industries as well.

The New York Times

His exit from the show in 2001 followed a lawsuit filed against Fox for allegedly underpaying him millions of dollars in ancillary profits.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Historically, children often served in ancillary roles during wartime, as couriers, drummer boys, or "powder monkeys," who ferried ammunition to cannon crews.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to specify where to invest, for example in business contexts, consider instead phrases like “investing in supplementary businesses” instead of “investing in ancillary businesses”.

Common error

Avoid using "in ancillary" without ensuring the context clearly indicates a supplementary, supporting, or secondary role. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "in a supporting role" or "as a secondary function" to enhance comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in ancillary" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically intended to modify a noun or verb by indicating a supplementary, supporting, or secondary relationship. However, Ludwig AI states that the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in ancillary" appears frequently across diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to denote a supplementary or supporting role, but clearer alternatives such as "in a supporting role" or "as a secondary function" are recommended. Given the grammatical issues and available alternatives, writers should exercise caution and opt for more conventional phrasing to ensure clarity and correctness in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a supporting role

Emphasizes the function of providing assistance or backup.

as a secondary function

Highlights the non-primary nature of the role or activity.

in a supplementary capacity

Focuses on providing something extra or additional.

as an auxiliary component

Implies that the thing or role is helpful but not essential.

in a subservient position

This focuses on the hierarchical nature of something that is helping but is below others in rank.

as an associate member

Highlights a type of non-lead member.

in a peripheral manner

Focuses on being at the edge or boundary of something

as a supplemental element

Highlights the addition of something.

in connection with

Emphasizes the relationship or association with the main item.

related to

Highlights how one item affects, depends or refers to another.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in ancillary"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in a supporting role", "as a secondary function", or "in connection with" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "in ancillary" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "in ancillary" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use more common and clear alternatives such as "in a supporting role".

How can I use "in ancillary" in a sentence correctly?

While "in ancillary" is not considered grammatically correct, you can rephrase your sentence to use alternatives like "as a supplementary service" or "in a supporting capacity" to achieve the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "in ancillary" and "as a supplementary service"?

"In ancillary" is considered grammatically incorrect, while "as a supplementary service" is a clearer and more appropriate way to express that something provides additional support or services.