other than working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "other than working" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an exception or alternative to the main action being discussed. Some examples are: - Other than working, there are many other ways to spend your free time. - I enjoy many activities, other than working, such as hiking and painting. - I don't have any commitments tonight, other than working on my project for school. - Our team's success is due to many factors, other than just working hard. - I can't think of anything I would rather do, other than working in a library.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But I wanted to do something other than working nonstop.

The New York Times - Arts

"The country had no option other than working on the fuel cycle," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Give up any semblance of anything other than working and studying and possibly going to the gym.

Independent

"In 27 years, I have never thought about doing anything other than working for Merrill Lynch," he said.

The New York Times

My work has not influenced this outcome (other than perhaps as a consequence of doing little other than working).

The Guardian

Nor did Mr. Bush suggest new approaches to those threats today, other than working closely with allies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We stand to gain more by working together and with each other rather than working against each other.

WikiHow

I couldn't really think of doing any other job than working with art.

Huffington Post

We don't talk about other stuff other than work, really.

The New York Times

"Other than work, there was nothing stopping me from having constant fun.

Independent

Asked what she did other than work during this period, she laughed: "Nothing, nothing, nothing".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "other than working", ensure the context clearly identifies what the alternative activities or states are. This prevents ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "other than working" when you intend to describe activities directly related to work. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where you're contrasting work with non-work activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "other than working" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause by indicating an exception or alternative. It specifies activities or conditions that exclude the action of working. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "other than working" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate exceptions or alternatives to the act of working. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct. Analysis of real-world examples shows that its primary function is to create a contrast, highlighting activities, conditions, or factors distinct from professional activities. With a neutral register, it finds use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, showcasing its adaptability and broad applicability. While various alternatives exist, such as "aside from working" or "instead of working", the choice depends on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aside from working

Replaces "other than" with "aside from", maintaining a very similar meaning and implication of exclusion.

besides working

Substitutes "other than" with "besides", indicating an addition or exception to working.

apart from working

Employs "apart from" instead of "other than", suggesting a separation or distinctiveness from the act of working.

instead of working

Highlights the substitution aspect more directly, emphasizing the choice not to work.

rather than working

Presents a clear preference or alternative to working, indicating a conscious choice.

excluding working

Directly states that working is not included, focusing on the exclusion of that activity.

without working

Emphasizes the absence of working, indicating that something is done independently of it.

outside of working

Implies a scope or boundary that excludes working, focusing on activities beyond work.

other than employment

Replaces the gerund "working" with the noun "employment", broadening the scope of the alternative.

different from working

Shifts the focus to the distinction or difference between activities and working.

FAQs

How can I use "other than working" in a sentence?

You can use "other than working" to specify exceptions or alternatives. For example, "I enjoy many hobbies "other than working", such as painting and hiking".

What's a good alternative to "other than working"?

Alternatives include "aside from working", "besides working", or "instead of working", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "different than working" instead of "other than working"?

While "different than working" might be understood, ""other than working"" is generally considered more grammatically standard and precise.

When should I use "other than working" versus "other than work"?

"Other than working" emphasizes the activity of working, while "other than work" refers to the general concept of work. The choice depends on whether you're focusing on the action or the domain.