bilaterally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bilaterally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving two sides or parties, often in discussions about agreements, actions, or relationships that involve both sides equally. Example: "The two countries agreed to negotiate bilaterally to resolve their trade disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We will promote free trade globally, regionally and bilaterally, while rebuilding support at home.

The Economist

Some believe this may be a defining moment for Spain.More wordy than radical, the charter talks of Catalonia as a nation and defines a series of matters to be dealt with bilaterally with the Spanish state.

The Economist

To illustrate this you suggest that to protect sea turtles America should negotiate turtle-protection agreements bilaterally, rather than impose its rules unilaterally.

The Economist

The economic crisis is being dealt with in the G20; the threat of a nuclear Iran is being handled by a small club of six powers; the security of energy supplies from Russia is better addressed by the European Union; and intelligence co-operation against terrorism is done bilaterally.

The Economist

The statements culminated with Hillary Clinton, America's secretary of state, underlining how her country would intercede to ensure safe passage through international waters.Progress has been made bilaterally, too.

The Economist

But usually, in trade and politics, China prefers to resolve disputes bilaterally so as to take advantage of its size.

The Economist

North Korea has long wanted to treat with America bilaterally, a notion turned down again this month.

The Economist

But four months later it is ever more plain that the 14 ostracisers acting bilaterally, since their Austrian partner has broken no EU rule have made fools of themselves.

The Economist

ASEAN countries were elated; China was furious, since it wants to negotiate with each of its neighbours bilaterally, where it has more of an advantage.The basic lesson here is that large countries gain influence and power when they adhere to rule-based international systems that give smaller countries a fair shake.

The Economist

Better still, they should make further increases in their official aid budgets to take on these diseases, both bilaterally and through global funds.But what of the environment?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Merrill Lynch forecast that it could drop to around 3.5% of GDP in 2009.Bilaterally, it is the same story: America's exports to China were 20% higher in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2007, while its imports from China were up only 4%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When the action involves more than two parties, prefer alternatives such as "multilaterally" or "collectively" to ensure clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "bilaterally" when referring to agreements or actions involving more than two parties. Using it in a multi-party context introduces ambiguity and can mislead the reader about the scope of the agreement or action.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "bilaterally" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action is performed or an agreement is made between two parties. Ludwig AI confirms that "bilaterally" is correct and usable in written English. It highlights the two-sided nature of interactions, negotiations, or agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bilaterally" is a grammatically sound adverb used to describe interactions or agreements between two parties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts, denoting a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to avoid using "bilaterally" when more than two parties are involved, opting instead for alternatives like "mutually" or jointly. By understanding its proper context and purpose, writers can effectively communicate the scope and nature of two-party engagements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mutually

Emphasizes reciprocity and shared action between two parties.

By agreement

Highlights the consensual nature of an action or decision between two entities.

In conjunction

Suggests a collaborative effort between two parties working together.

In partnership

Implies a formal or informal alliance to achieve a common goal.

Jointly

Focuses on the shared responsibility or undertaking of an action.

In collaboration

Highlights the cooperative aspect of the interaction.

Between two parties

Directly states the involvement of two distinct entities.

Through negotiation

Emphasizes the process of reaching an agreement between two sides.

In coordination

Implies a harmonized approach between two actors to avoid conflicts.

With both sides

Highlights actions impacting or involving both parties equally.

FAQs

How is "bilaterally" used in a sentence?

"Bilaterally" is used to describe actions or agreements conducted between two parties. For example, "The two countries agreed to negotiate "mutually" on trade issues."

What are some alternatives to using "bilaterally"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""mutually"", "jointly", or "between two parties" to express the same idea.

What does "bilaterally" mean in international relations?

In international relations, "bilaterally" refers to interactions or agreements between two countries, focusing on direct relations rather than involving multiple parties.

Is there a difference between "bilaterally" and "multilaterally"?

"Bilaterally" involves two parties, while "multilaterally" involves three or more. Using "bilaterally" emphasizes a one-on-one relationship, unlike the more inclusive nature of "multilaterally".