Working with suppliers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Working with suppliers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing collaboration or interaction with vendors or providers of goods and services. Example: "Our team is focused on working with suppliers to ensure we have the best materials for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Burberry has been working with suppliers and factories in anticipation of a large offering.

The New York Times

PepsiCo is one company taking the lead on working with suppliers to confront water scarcity.

The Guardian

Shiplee says they are working with suppliers they have worked with before.

The Guardian

Walmart alone has 40 different departments working with suppliers to encourage US-based manufacturing.

The Guardian

He said he had been working with suppliers to make their manufacturing processes cleaner and more efficient.

The New York Times

Arnold told me that, within the past eighteen months, the company had stopped working with suppliers who were falling short.

The New Yorker

While we typically source materials from companies in the United States, we've recently begun working with suppliers in China.

Harvard University

"Nestlé believes that by working with suppliers we can make a positive difference to the sourcing of ingredients".

The Guardian

The airline is working with suppliers to improve its purchasing of aircraft parts and materials, Mr. McDonald said.

The New York Times

The greatest challenge in working with suppliers is getting them in sync with the fast pace we have to maintain.

Harvard Business Review

But retailers are also working with suppliers to reduce the impacts of goods and services that they sell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working with suppliers" to demonstrate collaborative efforts aimed at innovation, cost reduction, or risk mitigation within the supply chain.

Common error

Avoid using overly generic terms like "dealing with suppliers" when you can demonstrate a more proactive and collaborative relationship by saying "working with suppliers". The latter implies a partnership, not just a transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working with suppliers" acts as a gerund phrase, often functioning as a noun within a sentence. It describes an action or process related to interacting and collaborating with providers of goods or services, and it is correct as per Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working with suppliers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe collaborative efforts with vendors. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and applicable across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia. The analysis reveals that this term is not only grammatically correct but also conveys a sense of partnership and proactive engagement, making it preferable over more generic terms. To enhance clarity and impact, consider alternatives like "collaborating with vendors" or "partnering with suppliers", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Collaborating with vendors

Focuses on the joint effort and partnership aspect of the relationship.

Partnering with suppliers

Emphasizes a more strategic and long-term alliance.

Engaging with providers

Highlights the interaction and communication aspect.

Cooperating with distributors

Specifically refers to working together in the distribution chain.

Liaising with manufacturers

Focuses on communication and coordination with the manufacturing entities.

Interacting with sources

General term for engaging with any providers of resources.

Dealing with vendors

Implies managing and handling the relationship with suppliers.

Sourcing from vendors

Highlights the act of obtaining goods or services.

Procuring from suppliers

Formal term emphasizing the purchasing process.

Managing supplier relationships

Focuses on the strategic oversight and maintenance of these business connections.

FAQs

How do I use "working with suppliers" in a sentence?

You can use "working with suppliers" to describe collaborative efforts, such as "We are "working with suppliers" to improve our sustainability practices" or "The company is "working with suppliers" to reduce costs".

What's a good alternative to "working with suppliers"?

Alternatives include "collaborating with vendors", "partnering with suppliers", or "engaging with providers", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dealing with suppliers" or "working with suppliers"?

"Working with suppliers" suggests a more collaborative and proactive relationship, while "dealing with suppliers" can imply a more transactional or hands-off approach. The best choice depends on the context of your communication.

Why is "working with suppliers" important for a company?

"Working with suppliers" can lead to better quality control, cost savings, innovation, and more sustainable practices. It fosters a stronger, more reliable supply chain.