alliance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "alliance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group or union of people, countries, or organizations that have joined together for a specific purpose. For example: The alliance between France and Germany has existed for many decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it is the Saudis who now, in improbable alliance with Binyamin Netanyahu's Israel, lobby most forcefully against any American nuclear deal, or broader western rapprochement, with Shia Iran, their sworn enemy.

The Guardian

It then took me 10 years to be in a position to help found Citizens UK as a sister training institute and organising alliance, but from 1989 onwards Ed became my trainer, critic, mentor and friend.

The Guardian

One project considered by Bin Laden, reported in the Guardian last month, was the creation of a grand alliance of militant groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan under the umbrella of al-Qaida.

The Guardian

"He presented an opinion that [the bank] would be better off targeting an alliance with a player such as Rabobank if it was serious such about pursuing such a major acquisition," Kelly wrote.

The Guardian - Business

The chief executives of multinational companies such as Unilever, Celtel and Tata have joined together to form the non-profit 'B Team' alliance.

The Guardian

Miliband knew in advance his attendance was a risk, that he could be left isolated by the alliance of leftwing leaders as the beacon for stale Westminster politics and austerity policies.

The Guardian

He described how governors in one school "wanted to replace the head with a Muslim head"; in another that "staff and governors were in an alliance to destabilise the head"; and in another school he described events as a "bloodless coup".

The Guardian - Opinion

Just as the Tea Party has turned Congress into a paralysed, self-hating institution, an alliance of anti-European Union parties could give Europe its own version of "gridlock" if they win enough of the popular vote in next year's European elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

One possible response: dismantle or at least shrink the eurozone to such an extent that rules become credible (even though advocates of a "neuro", a northern eurozone, tend to forget that "northern" chancellor Gerhard Schröder, in alliance with France and Italy, was instrumental in first weakening the rules in 2005).

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am heartened to see corporate leadership in this area," said Amjad Abdulla of the Maldives, chief negotiator for the alliance in Bonn.

The Guardian

"While the government of Yemen appreciates foreign governments' concern for the safety of their citizens, the evacuation of embassy staff serves the interests of extremists and undermines exceptional co-operation between Yemen and the international alliance against terrorism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific connotations of similar terms like "coalition", "partnership", or "union" to choose the most appropriate word for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "alliance" when describing casual collaborations; reserve it for more structured and significant unions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alliance" is as a noun, referring to a state of being allied or a union between entities. Ludwig AI provides examples where it functions as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "alliance" is a common noun denoting a formal agreement or union, often between countries, organizations, or individuals. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media, and formal business settings. When employing the term, it's crucial to consider the formality of the context and choose the most appropriate synonym if needed, such as "coalition" or "partnership". Understanding these nuances ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coalition

Refers more specifically to a temporary union for a particular purpose.

partnership

Emphasizes collaboration and shared risk between parties.

union

Indicates a more formal and permanent joining of entities.

confederation

Suggests a looser association of independent entities.

federation

Implies a political union with a central government.

league

Often used for sports or cooperative ventures.

pact

Indicates a formal agreement or treaty.

treaty

A formal agreement between countries.

accord

Emphasizes agreement and harmony.

entente

Denotes a friendly understanding between nations.

FAQs

How to use "alliance" in a sentence?

You can use "alliance" to describe a formal agreement or union between groups or nations, such as "The military alliance between the two countries proved decisive."

What can I say instead of "alliance"?

You can use alternatives like "coalition", "partnership", or "union" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "alliance" or "alignment"?

"Alliance" refers to a formal agreement or union, while "alignment" indicates a similarity of position or purpose without a formal agreement. Use "alliance" when there's a formal commitment.

What's the difference between "alliance" and "confederation"?

"Alliance" suggests a cooperative agreement, while "confederation" typically describes a union of sovereign states for specific purposes, often with a weaker central authority.