Have you ever found yourself wandering off the path of your goals or getting pushed to the side in a situation? These two scenarios may seem similar, but there is a distinct difference between being sidetracked and being sidelined.
Sidetracked and sidelined are two words often confused with each other, but they have different meanings. Sidetracked means to be diverted from the main course or goal, while sidelined means to be removed from the center of attention or action.
For example, if you were working on a project and got sidetracked by a phone call, you were distracted from your main task. On the other hand, if you were sidelined from the project, you were removed from the team and not included in the decision-making process.
In this article, we will explore the differences between sidetracked and sidelined and how to use them correctly in various contexts.
Define Sidetracked
Sidetracked refers to being diverted from the main course or objective, often due to a distraction or interruption. It is a situation where an individual or a group of individuals get off the track and lose focus on the original task or goal. Sidetracking can occur due to various reasons, such as lack of attention, lack of motivation, or external factors like unexpected events or interruptions.
Define Sidelined
Sidelined refers to being removed or excluded from the main activity or process. It is a situation where an individual or a group of individuals are not given the opportunity to participate in the primary task or goal. Sidelining can occur due to various reasons, such as lack of skills, knowledge, or experience, or due to discrimination or bias.
Here are some examples of situations where an individual or a group of individuals can be sidelined:
- A team member who is not given the opportunity to contribute to a project due to their lack of experience or skills.
- An employee who is excluded from a meeting that is relevant to their job role.
- A student who is not given the chance to participate in a school activity due to their race or gender.
It is important to note that sidetracking and sidelining can have different impacts on individuals and organizations. While sidetracking can lead to delays or deviations from the main goal, sidelining can result in demotivation, low morale, and even discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and address these issues to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Choosing the right word in a sentence can make a big difference in the clarity and impact of your message. In this section, we will explore the proper usage of the words “sidetracked” and “sidelined”.
How To Use “Sidetracked” In A Sentence
“Sidetracked” is a verb that means to divert someone or something from the main topic or task at hand. It can be used in various contexts, including personal, professional, or academic settings. Here are some examples:
- After hours of studying, I got sidetracked by social media and lost track of time.
- The project was sidetracked by budget cuts and had to be postponed.
- She tried to sidetrack the conversation by changing the subject.
As you can see, “sidetracked” is used to describe a deviation from the original plan or objective. It implies a temporary or accidental diversion that can be remedied by refocusing on the task at hand.
How To Use “Sidelined” In A Sentence
“Sidelined” is also a verb, but it has a different meaning than “sidetracked”. It refers to the act of removing someone or something from a position of importance or influence. Here are some examples:
- He was sidelined from the project due to a conflict of interest.
- The company’s CEO was sidelined by a scandal and had to resign.
- The new policy sidelined the opinions of the employees and caused resentment.
As you can see, “sidelined” is used to describe a deliberate or permanent removal from a position or role. It implies a loss of status, power, or authority that can be difficult to regain.
In conclusion, it’s important to understand the nuances of these two words and use them correctly in your writing and speaking. Whether you want to describe a temporary distraction or a permanent setback, “sidetracked” and “sidelined” can add clarity and precision to your message.
More Examples Of Sidetracked & Sidelined Used In Sentences
In order to better understand the difference between sidetracked and sidelined, it can be helpful to see them used in various sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using Sidetracked In A Sentence
- After getting sidetracked by a phone call, she forgot what she was doing.
- The team was sidetracked by a new project and neglected their original goals.
- Don’t let small details sidetrack you from your main objective.
- He was sidetracked by his love for music and never pursued his dream of becoming a doctor.
- The politician sidetracked the conversation by bringing up irrelevant topics.
- She constantly gets sidetracked by social media and loses track of time.
- The argument sidetracked the meeting and prevented any progress from being made.
- He was sidetracked by his own thoughts and missed his exit on the highway.
- The company was sidetracked by a lawsuit and had to put other projects on hold.
- Her fear of failure sidetracked her from taking risks and pursuing her dreams.
Examples Of Using Sidelined In A Sentence
- He was sidelined with a knee injury for the entire football season.
- The new CEO sidelined the previous manager and brought in their own team.
- Her lack of experience sidelined her from being considered for the promotion.
- The company was sidelined by a major scandal and lost a significant amount of business.
- The project was sidelined due to budget cuts and lack of resources.
- His reckless behavior sidelined him from being trusted with important tasks.
- The athlete was sidelined for violating team rules.
- The pandemic sidelined many businesses and forced them to close permanently.
- Her illness sidelined her from attending important events and meetings.
- The company’s outdated technology sidelined them from competing with their rivals.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words sidetracked and sidelined, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should not be used in place of one another.
Using Sidetracked Instead Of Sidelined
Sidetracked refers to being distracted or diverted from the main topic or task at hand. For example, “I got sidetracked by social media and didn’t finish my work on time.”
On the other hand, sidelined means to be removed or excluded from a situation or activity. For example, “After his injury, he was sidelined from playing in the game.”
It is important to use the correct word to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion.
Using Sidelined Instead Of Sidetracked
Conversely, people may also make the mistake of using sidelined instead of sidetracked. This can happen when referring to being distracted from a task or topic. However, as previously mentioned, sidelined refers to being removed or excluded from a situation or activity.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to double-check the definition of the word before using it in a sentence. If unsure, it is better to use a different word altogether to avoid confusion.
Tips To Avoid Confusing Sidetracked And Sidelined
- Look up the definitions of both words to ensure you are using the correct one.
- Consider the context in which the word is being used to determine if it is the correct choice.
- If unsure, use a different word to avoid confusion.
Context Matters
Choosing between the words sidetracked and sidelined can depend on the context in which they are used. While they may seem interchangeable, the subtle differences in their meanings can greatly affect the overall tone and clarity of a sentence.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between sidetracked and sidelined might change:
| Context | Example | Appropriate Word Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Career | “I was sidetracked by a family emergency and missed the deadline.” | Sidetracked |
| “I was sidelined with a back injury and couldn’t play in the game.” | Sidelined | |
| Politics | “The scandal sidetracked the candidate’s campaign.” | Sidetracked |
| “The senator was sidelined by the party leadership after his controversial remarks.” | Sidelined | |
| Project Management | “We got sidetracked by the technical difficulties and missed the deadline.” | Sidetracked |
| “The team was sidelined due to budget cuts.” | Sidelined |
As you can see from these examples, the choice between sidetracked and sidelined can depend on the specific context in which they are used. In general, sidetracked tends to imply a temporary diversion or distraction from a goal or task, while sidelined tends to imply a more permanent or long-term removal from a situation or activity.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using sidetracked and sidelined are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these terms might not apply. Here are a few examples:
1. Sports Terminology
In sports, the terms sidetracked and sidelined can have different meanings. Sidetracked can refer to a player who has lost focus or become distracted, while sidelined refers to a player who is unable to play due to injury or other reasons.
| Sidetracked | Sidelined |
|---|---|
| The player was sidetracked by the noise from the crowd. | The player was sidelined due to a knee injury. |
2. Figurative Language
When used in a figurative sense, sidetracked and sidelined can take on a variety of meanings. For example, someone who is sidetracked might be distracted from their original goal or objective, while someone who is sidelined might be excluded from a particular activity or event.
- She was sidetracked from her career ambitions by a personal crisis.
- He felt sidelined by his colleagues who excluded him from important meetings.
3. Regional Differences
There may be regional differences in how sidetracked and sidelined are used. For example, in some parts of the world, sidetracked may be used more frequently than sidelined, or vice versa.
It’s important to keep these exceptions in mind when using sidetracked and sidelined in your writing or speech. By understanding the nuances of these terms, you can communicate your ideas more effectively and avoid any confusion or misinterpretation.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have a better understanding of the differences between “sidetracked” and “sidelined,” let’s put that knowledge into practice. Below are some practice exercises to help improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences.
Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to fill in the blank:
- After injuring his knee, the athlete was __________ for the remainder of the season.
- During the meeting, the discussion about the budget __________ and we ended up talking about office supplies for an hour.
- She was so __________ by the beautiful scenery that she forgot about her worries for a while.
- The project was __________ due to a lack of funding.
Answer Key:
- Sidelined
- Sidetracked
- Sidetracked
- Sidetracked
Exercise 2
Write a sentence using “sidetracked” and another sentence using “sidelined.”
Example:
- After reading one article, I got sidetracked and ended up spending an hour on social media.
- The quarterback was sidelined for the rest of the game after taking a hard hit.
Exercise 3
Identify whether the following sentences use “sidetracked” or “sidelined.”
- After the company’s profits took a hit, the CEO was __________ from his position.
- The construction project was __________ due to a lack of materials.
- She was so __________ by her phone that she didn’t hear her name being called.
- The group’s discussion about the upcoming project was __________ by a debate about the best coffee shop in town.
Answer Key:
- Sidelined
- Sidetracked
- Sidetracked
- Sidetracked
By practicing using “sidetracked” and “sidelined” in sentences, you can improve your understanding and use of these words in your everyday language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between sidetracked and sidelined is crucial to effective communication. While both words refer to being diverted from a main focus, they have distinct meanings that can significantly impact the message being conveyed.
It is important to remember that sidetracked refers to being temporarily diverted from a main focus, while sidelined refers to being removed from a main focus altogether. This distinction can be especially important in professional settings, where clarity and precision are essential.
Overall, it is clear that a solid understanding of grammar and language use is vital to effective communication. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can ensure that our messages are clear, concise, and impactful.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.