cohabiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cohabiting' is correct and can be used in written English.
It means living together and sharing a residence with someone, typically a romantic partner, without being married. Example: "After dating for two years, John and Mary decided to take the next step in their relationship and start cohabiting. They moved in together and split the rent and household responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although this study did only look at married people, other recent research suggests that cohabiting also improves health – although the effects in both states can wear off after the honeymoon period of moving in together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We may be newly married, but we've been together for nine years, cohabiting for eight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once Mr Ramos-Horta became prime minister, cohabiting in government with Fretilin, it was reluctant to increase aid in case he took the credit.Whereas the government has spent little, the UN has splashed out over $3 billion since arriving in 1999.

The Economist

In 1979 just 8% of single women aged between 18 and 49 were cohabiting, or "living in sin" as it was then known.

The Economist

In 2003 more than half a million men aged between 35 and 44 were cohabiting.

The Economist

It is fair to point out that many of them seem to have been cohabiting with the line that led to humanity for millions of years, and both sides have thus had ample time to adjust.

The Economist

By 2010, half of late-20s Brazilian women were cohabiting, while the proportion in Uruguay was 71%.

The Economist

The pair reminisced about the moment they realised together that, rather than just cohabiting in Parliament, they ought to get properly hitched in a coalition.

The Economist

The need to update family law to protect the children of cohabiting couples was identified as far back as 1989.

The Economist

But the last time he did this, in 1997, parliament lurched to the left and Mr Chirac ended up "cohabiting" with a Socialist prime minister, Lionel Jospin.

The Economist

To encourage them, Mr Jospin, a Socialist prime minister "cohabiting" with a conservative president, Jacques Chirac, is arguing that one virtue of his plan for limited devolution is that it is "essentially regulatory" and so would not involve a battle to amend the constitution, although the Constitutional Council may yet think otherwise.In this section A new route?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the cultural context when using the term "cohabiting", as its acceptance and implications can vary widely across different societies.

Common error

Avoid using "cohabiting" interchangeably with "common-law marriage." Common-law marriage has specific legal requirements and recognition that differs by jurisdiction. Simply "cohabiting" doesn't automatically grant the same rights or status.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cohabiting" is as a verb in its present participle form, often used to describe the ongoing action of living together as an unmarried couple. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It also functions as a gerund (verbal noun).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cohabiting" is a grammatically correct verb form used to describe the state of living together as an unmarried couple. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts and carries a neutral tone suitable for formal and informal communication. While frequently used, it is essential to use it carefully and avoid confusion with related terms, like "common-law marriage". Several alternatives, such as "living together", provide similar meanings while offering stylistic variations. When writing, keep in mind the context and desired level of formality to effectively communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

living together

Focuses specifically on the act of sharing a residence.

sharing a home

Emphasizes the aspect of shared living space.

in a relationship and living together

Specifies relationship and living arrangement.

living as a couple

Highlights the romantic relationship aspect.

unmarried partnership

Emphasizes the absence of a marriage certificate.

shacking up

An informal and colloquial alternative.

domestic partnership

Focuses on legal or recognized relationship status.

roommates in a relationship

Highlights living together under the same roof while being in a relationship.

common-law marriage

Implies a marriage-like relationship without a formal ceremony (note: legal implications vary).

living in sin

An outdated, judgemental expression referring to cohabitation outside marriage.

FAQs

How to use "cohabiting" in a sentence?

You can use "cohabiting" to describe a couple living together without being married. For example, "The study examined the financial benefits for "cohabiting couples"".

What can I say instead of "cohabiting"?

You can use alternatives like "living together", "sharing a home", or "unmarried partnership" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cohabiting" or "cohabitation"?

"Cohabiting" is the present participle or gerund form of the verb "cohabit," while "cohabitation" is a noun referring to the state of living together. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "cohabiting" and "dating"?

"Dating" refers to a romantic relationship where two people spend time together. "Cohabiting" implies that the couple is living together in the same residence, which is a more committed arrangement.