on top of working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on top of working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is managing multiple responsibilities or tasks simultaneously, often in a professional context. Example: "On top of working full-time, she is also pursuing her master's degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My colleagues take files home to work on Saturdays, on top of working through lunch, going in early and leaving late.

The Guardian

An accelerated process can be stressful for analysts, many of whom have to prepare for rigorous interviews on top of working long hours at their banks.

The New York Times

We're all learning so much about so many different things all the time, on top of working out how to camp in November.

The Guardian

Weighed down with written coursework assignments on top of working shifts from 7.30am to 8.30pm on his ward placement, seeing the stage performance seemed to lift his morale.

The Guardian

On top of working nearly 50 hours a week at a Brooklyn rescue company, Mr. Galione, a 44-year-old father of three, spent 30 hours a week at the firehouse in Ronkonkoma.

The New York Times

"I don't think that's a bad thing, but maybe partly because there's so much guilt around what we should be doing to nurture them – doing crafts, going to museums, doing homework, taking them to parties – on top of working in or outside the home".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Stay organised, keep time and "panic" early to get on top of work.

The Guardian

Keeping on top of work, making ends meet with limited money and getting through university without dropping out are just a few of them.

The Guardian

There are a number of steps you can take to stay on top of work, with minimal disruption to your holiday.

The Guardian

Most people say that they stay on top of work while they're away to stop it building up into an insurmountable wall.

The Guardian

Do not pack work on top of work onto yourself, just because it "looks nice".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on top of working", ensure that the additional responsibility is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "She is busy on top of working", specify what else she is doing: "On top of working full-time, she volunteers at the local shelter."

Common error

Don't leave readers guessing what is added "on top of working". Always specify the extra task or burden clearly. For example, avoid saying "It's difficult on top of working". Instead, say "Balancing family responsibilities is difficult on top of working full-time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on top of working" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating an additional activity or responsibility that occurs alongside one's primary occupation. It adds information about something extra happening, building upon the core concept of work, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science & Research

3%

Opinion

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on top of working" is a versatile phrase used to indicate additional responsibilities or simultaneous activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and relatively common. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize the burden or complexity of managing multiple responsibilities alongside work. While generally neutral in register, it’s important to clearly specify the additional task or burden to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "in addition to working" and "besides working", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to working

This alternative provides a direct and simple substitution, emphasizing the additive nature of the tasks.

besides working

Similar to "in addition to working", this option is slightly more informal.

aside from working

This alternative is nearly synonymous with "besides working" and "in addition to working".

along with working

This phrase highlights the simultaneous nature of the activities.

concurrently with working

A more formal option emphasizing the simultaneous occurrence of work and other activities.

simultaneous to working

A more academic sounding phrase implying that something is happening at the same time as "working".

on top of a job

This emphasizes managing tasks and responsibilities but lacks the direct "working" reference.

supplementing working

This suggests that the additional activities enhance or support the primary work.

over and above working

Implies that something is more than the act of working.

beyond just working

Emphasizes exceeding the basic requirement of working.

FAQs

What does "on top of working" mean?

The phrase "on top of working" means in addition to working or besides working. It implies that someone has other responsibilities or activities along with their job.

How can I use "on top of working" in a sentence?

You can use "on top of working" to indicate that someone is managing multiple responsibilities. For example: "On top of working a full-time job, she's also studying for her master's degree."

What are some alternatives to "on top of working"?

You can use alternatives such as "in addition to working", "besides working", or "along with working" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "in addition to working" or "on top of working"?

"In addition to working" is generally considered more formal. "On top of working" can be used in most contexts but might sound slightly less professional in certain formal situations.