act in unison

USAGE SUMMARY

"act in unison" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase "act in unison" when describing a group of people or two or more people who are working together towards a common goal or in agreement on a course of action. Example: The members of the chorus moved and sang in perfect harmony, their voices and movements acting in unison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

So the Democrats can act in unison, after all.

The New York Times

"Unless the two act in unison there won't be peace in either country.

Independent

A state-level solution is unlikely, since all 50 states would need to act in unison.

The New York Times

All through Latin America there are well established democratic governments that act in unison.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The presidents must act in unison," Mr. Carter said, "in order that they don't hang separately".

The New York Times

If several wave functions are in phase (i.e., act in unison), they are said to be coherent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Most of the time when the audience acted in unison, less than 55 percent participated.

The New York Times - Magazine

Central banks around the world acted in unison yesterday to calm nervous financial markets by providing an infusion of cash to the system.

The New York Times

And as noted above, the court had long deferred to the president and Congress when they acted in unison on matters of national security.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last week, 11 Western nations acted in unison to expel envoys from Syria in an expression of outrage over a massacre in the Houla region, near Homs, that left 108 people dead, including many women and children.

The New York Times

And without the backing of leading European democracies, an enhanced Palestinian status in the General Assembly would look empty.As ever, the Europeans would exert more moral influence if they acted in unison.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act in unison", ensure that the context clearly indicates that multiple entities are performing a coordinated action. For example, "The countries need to act in unison to address climate change effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "act in unison" when referring to a single entity or action. It is intended to describe synchronized behavior among multiple actors, not a singular action performed by one entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act in unison" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a manner of action. It describes how multiple entities perform an action in a coordinated or synchronized way. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act in unison" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe coordinated action among multiple entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for application across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and business discussions. The phrase implies a collaborative effort toward a shared goal and is a powerful way to emphasize the importance of agreement and synchronization in achieving objectives. Remember to use "act in unison" when referring to multiple actors, and not a single entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act in tandem

Suggests a close, synchronized coordination of actions.

act in unity

Highlights the solidarity and cohesiveness in the actions of a group.

act in agreement

Emphasizes the alignment of opinions or intentions before taking action.

act in accordance

Focuses on adhering to a set of rules, principles, or guidelines.

coordinate efforts

Focuses on organizing and synchronizing different activities for a common purpose.

act in lockstep

Implies a rigid, unwavering conformity in action, often without individual thought.

work collaboratively

Stresses the cooperative nature of the work being done.

operate jointly

Highlights the shared effort and responsibility in performing an action.

join forces

Emphasizes the act of combining resources or strengths to achieve a common goal.

pull together

Highlights the collective effort of a group working towards a shared objective.

FAQs

How can I use "act in unison" in a sentence?

Use "act in unison" to describe situations where multiple entities coordinate their actions towards a common goal. For instance, "For the project to succeed, all team members must "act in unison"."

What are some alternatives to "act in unison"?

Alternatives include "act in agreement", "act in unity", and "act in tandem", each carrying slightly different connotations related to cooperation and coordination.

Is it correct to say "acted in unison" or "act in unison"?

Both forms are correct depending on the context. "Act in unison" is used in present or future tense, while "acted in unison" is used in past tense. For example, "They will act in unison" versus "They acted in unison yesterday".

What's the difference between "act in unison" and "act independently"?

"Act in unison" implies coordinated action towards a shared goal, while "act independently" suggests separate, uncoordinated actions. The choice depends on whether collaboration or individual action is being emphasized.