closest colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

"closest colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to people with whom you have a close working relationship, such as at a job. For example, "I worked closely with my closest colleagues to develop a new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He maintained a distance even from his closest colleagues.

The New Yorker

Not even his closest colleagues can say how often he has circled the globe.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he called his family and closest colleagues to share the news.

The Guardian

"I hid it from all but my closest colleagues," he remembers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No one, however, not even his closest colleagues, said they would donate their own.

The New York Times - Magazine

Among his closest colleagues were Max Ernst, Jean Arp, and André Masson.

The New Yorker

Virtually all of their closest colleagues are in prison or silenced.

The New Yorker

Kalinithi describes neurosurgical residency as a black hole, which even his closest colleagues could not understand.

The Guardian - Books

What Heywood actually believes is the subject of debate among even his closest colleagues and friends.

The Guardian

Yesterday he and his closest colleagues were honoured guests in the Oval Office.

Independent

His closest colleagues felt that his work had begun to suffer, and he didn't disagree.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about professional relationships, use "closest colleagues" to refer to individuals with whom you share a strong working connection and trust. This phrase effectively conveys both professional respect and personal rapport.

Common error

Avoid using "closest colleagues" when simply referring to coworkers who sit near you. This phrase implies a deeper, more meaningful professional relationship than just spatial closeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closest colleagues" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a group of people with whom one has a close working relationship. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used to denote individuals who are trusted, relied upon, and frequently collaborated with.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closest colleagues" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe individuals with whom one shares a strong, trusting professional relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure that it reflects a genuine bond beyond mere physical proximity. Alternative phrases like "nearest coworkers" or "most trusted peers" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context. Overall, "closest colleagues" effectively communicates the value and importance of these professional connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearest coworkers

Replaces "colleagues" with "coworkers", emphasizing the work context and using "nearest" to convey proximity.

most trusted peers

Emphasizes trust and equality in the professional relationship, moving away from strict proximity.

intimate associates

Uses "intimate" to denote a deeper level of connection, while "associates" remains relatively formal.

closest professional companions

Replaces "colleagues" with "companions", giving it a slightly less formal feel while retaining the professional aspect.

dearest collaborators

Highlights collaborative aspects of the relationship, replacing "closest" with "dearest" for a warmer tone.

inner circle at the office

Suggests exclusivity and closeness, portraying the group as tightly knit within the workplace.

personal allies at work

Highlights the supportive and cooperative nature of the relationships.

confidants at work

Indicates that the colleagues are also people one confides in, focusing on trust and personal connection.

select working partners

Emphasizes the chosen nature of the partnerships and focusing on work rather than personal closeness.

inner sanctum colleagues

Implies a highly exclusive and private group within the larger professional setting.

FAQs

How can I use "closest colleagues" in a sentence?

You can use "closest colleagues" to describe individuals with whom you have a strong working relationship. For example, "I often collaborate with my closest colleagues on complex projects".

What are some alternatives to saying "closest colleagues"?

Depending on the context, you could use "nearest coworkers", "most trusted peers", or "intimate associates".

Is it appropriate to use "closest colleagues" in formal writing?

Yes, "closest colleagues" is suitable for formal and professional writing, as it accurately conveys a strong working relationship with individuals you trust and collaborate with closely.

What's the difference between "closest colleagues" and "work friends"?

"Closest colleagues" typically refers to individuals with whom you have a strong professional relationship and work closely, while "work friends" implies a more personal and social connection that extends beyond work-related tasks.