at the same desk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the same desk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more people are working or sitting together at one desk or workstation. Example: "During the project, we spent long hours at the same desk, collaborating on our ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I'm at the same desk.

The New York Times - Arts

They worked at the same desk.

The Economist

You're sitting at the same desk, working with the same keyboard and monitor.

The New York Times

Now it is just what we do: texting in company, emailing colleagues at the same desk, avoiding encounters, DMing instead.

The Guardian

The downside to reading too much at the same desk or the same coffee shop is that books can blur together.

The New York Times - Books

In the state capitol in Albany, Andrew Cuomo sits at the same desk, in the same office, that his father did as governor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The men took their places each morning at nine at the same desks.

The Guardian - Film

When all those federal workers now under his authority go to work Monday, they'll sit at the same desks, wear the same uniforms, use the same security badges and answer to many of the same bosses as they did Friday.

Los Angeles Times

I do most of it at my desk, the same desk I've had since I was 12, albeit in an office I'm not used to yet and probably won't be until I've written a novel in it, in the new house we bought in New Orleans's Central City neighborhood after the failure of the federal levees destroyed our old one.

Vice

"There were seven travel agencies down the avenue at one time," Conenna told us from the same desk he's commandeered at Venus Travel on 7418 West Belmont Ave .for nearly five decades.

Huffington Post

His language has a hard-polished gleam and great economy, as when a father reflects on his son's contempt for him: "All he can see is that I shared the same desk at the same bank for 20 years and that one night at his club I mixed up Canada and Canberra". Muted explosions and throbbing undercurrents in relationships are compressed into single stories, sometimes even down to a sentence.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the same desk" to create a sense of shared experience, collaboration, or continuity, especially when describing routines or historical connections.

Common error

While acceptable in most writing, using "at the same desk" repeatedly can sound informal. Vary your language with alternatives like "in the same workspace" or "at a shared workstation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the same desk" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the location where an action occurs. It specifies that an action is performed at a particular desk, often emphasizing shared space or continuity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the same desk" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a shared workspace, routine, or historical connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternative phrasings. Its primary function is to specify location and imply shared experience. While mostly found in news and media, and also in informal articles like wikis, this expression is easily understood. When writing, consider the specific implications you wish to convey and choose the most appropriate phrasing to suit your context. Remember to check the examples of Ludwig to understand the different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same workspace

Focuses on the environment rather than the specific furniture.

at a shared workstation

Emphasizes the communal aspect of the workspace.

at the adjacent table

Highlights proximity in a dining or working context.

in the same cubicle

Specifies a partitioned workspace.

in a common office space

Describes the general work location.

side by side at the table

Indicates physical closeness while working or studying.

at the next workstation

Highlights a nearby, but separate, work area.

sharing a work surface

Emphasizes the act of sharing a desk or table.

working in close proximity

Describes a general closeness in a work setting.

collaborating at the same table

Highlights collaborative work in a shared space.

FAQs

How can I use "at the same desk" in a sentence?

You can use "at the same desk" to describe people working together, routines, or historical connections, such as "They collaborated for years "at the same desk"" or "He sits "at the same desk" his father used."

What are some alternatives to "at the same desk"?

Alternatives include "in the same workspace", "at a shared workstation", or "in a common office space", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sitting on the same desk"?

No, it is not correct. The correct preposition to use is "at", not "on", so the correct form is "sitting "at the same desk"".

What does it imply when someone says they are "at the same desk" as someone else?

It can imply a shared workspace, a sense of continuity, collaboration, or even a historical connection, depending on the specific context. For example, "They worked "at the same desk" for decades" suggests a long-term professional relationship.