secondary occupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary occupation" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a job or activity that a person engages in in addition to their main or primary occupation. Example: Jane works as a full-time accountant, but her secondary occupation is teaching piano lessons in the evenings.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Writing for me was always a secondary occupation.

The Guardian - Books

In so doing, they vastly underestimate the economic contribution of women, for whom paid work can often be a secondary occupation (with "housewife" being considered the primary activity).

The Guardian

To supplement their income from domestic animals, vegetables, and fruits, a number of farmers pursue forestry as a secondary occupation; most of the forests are part of farm acreages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population.

Forbes

Participating in any secondary occupation generally discourages households from participating in the market.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Others were demographic and socio-economic attributes of the respondents such as sex, age, household size, membership of the social group, contact with an extension agent, educational status, primary, and secondary occupation.

Ecological Processes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The dependent variables, ∆skill and ∆working conditions, are equal to the differences in SK and WC, the O*NET indices of occupational skill requirements and working conditions, respectively, between workers' primary job occupation and secondary job occupation.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

As for secondary occupations, Robert Graves suggested that, like Trollope, they could take employment in a post office or, like WH Davies, solve their problems by becoming professional tramps.

The Guardian - Books

These days, what one might call the secondary occupations of the writer — adaptations for screens large and small, the college classroom, the lecture circuit, the creative-writing course, not to mention the ceaseless work of writing introductions and editing texts, even the travel magazines — were not available to Powers, at least not in a way he could easily grasp.

The New Yorker

Earnings is defined as the sum of all income from labor, either direct payments, payments in kind from primary or secondary occupations or earnings from self-employment in agriculture or the informal sector.

Latin American Economic Review

Rubel's primary occupation (secondary occupations included frog farmer and sailor) was that of a school bus driver.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic contributions or income sources, using "secondary occupation" can provide clarity on the diverse ways individuals earn a living, particularly when distinguishing it from their primary source of income.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary occupation" interchangeably with terms like "hobby" or "avocation". A "secondary occupation" implies an income-generating activity, whereas a hobby is typically pursued for leisure and not necessarily for profit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary occupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify a job or profession pursued in addition to the primary one. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secondary occupation" accurately describes an additional job or profession pursued alongside one's primary employment. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While the frequency is uncommon, it appears across varied contexts like scientific research, news media, and encyclopedic entries. When discussing income diversification or additional sources of revenue, using "secondary occupation" provides clarity. Alternatives include "side job" or "supplemental job", but it's important not to confuse it with hobbies or avocations, which are not necessarily income-generating activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary employment

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being employed, similar to an occupation.

supplemental job

Emphasizes that the job supplements the primary income.

side job

A more informal way to refer to a secondary occupation.

moonlighting

Implies working a second job, often secretly or outside regular hours.

additional work

A broader term that encompasses any work done in addition to the main job.

part-time occupation

Highlights that the occupation is not full-time.

ancillary profession

A more formal term for an additional profession that supports the main one.

second string career

Indicates a career path that is pursued alongside the main career.

minor role

Suggests the activity or job is of lesser importance than the main one.

avocation

Refers to a hobby or minor occupation undertaken in addition to one's main job.

FAQs

How can I use "secondary occupation" in a sentence?

You can use "secondary occupation" to describe an income-generating activity pursued in addition to one's primary job. For example: "Many farmers pursue forestry as a "secondary occupation" to supplement their income."

What's a more informal way to say "secondary occupation"?

If you want to sound less formal, you could use the term "side job" to refer to a "secondary occupation".

What are some common examples of "secondary occupations"?

Examples of "secondary occupations" include freelancing, part-time teaching, consulting, or running a small business alongside a full-time job.

Is "secondary occupation" the same as "hobby"?

No, "secondary occupation" is not the same as a hobby. A "secondary occupation" implies an income-generating activity, whereas a hobby is primarily for leisure.