acting in unison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting in unison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups performing an action together or in harmony. Example: "The dancers were acting in unison, creating a mesmerizing performance that captivated the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Passages" has groups of men and women moving and acting in unison, and a spectacular setting.

The New York Times - Arts

When it comes to speaking and acting in unison, what is it that we're so afraid of?

The Guardian - Opinion

Worse still, the boroughs are not acting in unison, raising the possibility that mobile operators could limit usage by customers of rival networks.

The Guardian - Business

In the 39-second video, the four soldiers in combat gear and carrying weapons are seen acting in unison as they stand over the corpses and urinate.

The Guardian

According to the BCS theory, there is a type of electron pairing (electrons of opposite spin acting in unison) in the superconductor that is important in interpreting many superconducting phenomena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 15 countries of the European Union, acting in unison, presented their ratifications of the protocol on Friday, but the United States and Russia have not agreed to its terms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It was unclear if, in his eyes, those malign forces were acting in unison.In this section No end in sight What's the point?

The Economist

Atoms acting in perfect unison have been corralled and steered on an electronic chip for the very first time.

Science Magazine

The ensemble or entourage effect assumes that different cannabis strains instill different highs — whether sleepy or awake, anxious or soothing — because of the complex interaction of hundreds upon hundreds of variable cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids acting on our neural receptors in unison.

Vice

"God acts," the women called in unison.

The New York Times

But there is no problem about barking in unison, and no problem about acting independently.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acting in unison" to emphasize coordinated and simultaneous actions, especially when describing groups or systems.

Common error

Avoid using "acting in unison" when describing actions that are merely similar or parallel but lack direct coordination. It implies a higher degree of synchronicity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting in unison" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating that multiple entities are performing an action together in a coordinated and simultaneous manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acting in unison" is a descriptive phrase denoting simultaneous and coordinated action by multiple entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki sources, suggesting a register ranging from neutral to formal. To enhance your writing, remember that "acting in unison" implies a higher degree of synchronicity than merely similar actions, and consider alternatives like "acting in concert" or "working together" for varying contexts. Use it to effectively convey coordination, agreement, and shared purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting in concert

Replaces "unison" with "concert", emphasizing the harmonious or coordinated nature of the action.

working together

A simpler, more general alternative focusing on the collaborative aspect of the action.

moving as one

Emphasizes the synchronized movement or action of a group, highlighting their unity.

operating in sync

Focuses on the synchronized operation of individuals or systems.

performing in coordination

Highlights the planned and organized nature of the action.

collaborating closely

Emphasizes the cooperative aspect and the intensity of the collaboration.

cooperating fully

Focuses on the complete and willing cooperation of the parties involved.

banding together

Suggests a more informal or spontaneous coming together for a common purpose.

aligning efforts

Focuses on the alignment of individual efforts towards a shared goal.

speaking with one voice

Emphasizes the unified expression of opinion or sentiment.

FAQs

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

Use "acting in unison" to describe situations where multiple entities perform the same action simultaneously and in a coordinated manner. For example, "The dancers were "acting in unison", creating a stunning visual effect."

What are some alternatives to "acting in unison"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "acting in concert", "working together", or "moving as one".

Is "acting in unison" formal or informal?

"Acting in unison" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal writing due to its precise and somewhat technical nature. In casual conversation, simpler phrases might be preferred.

What does it mean for elements to be "acting in unison"?

When elements are described as "acting in unison", it means they are performing an action together, simultaneously, and in a coordinated way. This implies a high degree of synchronization and agreement.