collective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is shared or done by a group of individuals acting together. Example: "The collective effort of the team led to a successful project completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are necessary, for how else can collective will be channelled into the tasks of government.

The Guardian

Each of Sandra's co-workers must effectively choose between atomised, competitive, neoliberal self-interest and some form of collective power and mutual support.

The Guardian - Film

One of the most poignant images conjured in the collective consciousness from the sinking of the Titanic is that of the band continuing to play while the ship went down.

The Guardian - Opinion

And core to these capabilities and to the strategy for developing them is a recognition that we need collective leadership.

The Guardian

This state of affairs is doubly extraordinary because, unlike the 1930s or late 19th century, there is a welfare state – even if it is under assault from the coalition – which thankfully underwrites collective demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the Coalition rightwinger has a reputation for being divisive and abrupt, McGowan seems to want to give the voters of Indi a big collective hug.

The Guardian

In the face of tough commercial competition, Manchester's Meat Free collective has taken admirable risks for the city's scene.

The Guardian - Music

The lights in our collective thinking are also at risk of going out.

The Guardian - Opinion

This season has truly been a collective flop at QPR.

The Guardian - Sport

Academic studies have been written on the effect of the victory in 1954 on the collective German psyche.

The Guardian - Sport

We had a collective mental block about jumping the British record and she just went out and thought: 'You know what?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to group endeavors, ensure that "collective" accurately reflects the shared nature of the effort, implying that each member contributes to a common goal.

Common error

Avoid using "collective" when the actions or opinions within a group are diverse or conflicting. Instead, consider alternatives like "group" or "team" to acknowledge the variety within the unit.

Linguistic Context

The word "collective" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is shared, combined, or performed by a group. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase "collective" is correct and usable in written English, enhancing clarity and precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collective" is a versatile adjective used to denote shared actions, attributes, or responsibilities among a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its prevalence in contexts like news and media emphasizes its importance in describing shared phenomena. While alternatives like "group" or "joint" exist, "collective" distinctly highlights the unified nature of the group's involvement. Understanding its function and avoiding the implication of uniformity are key to effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group

Refers to a set of individuals considered as a unit; less formal than "collective".

joint

Implies shared involvement or responsibility in an action or entity.

collaborative

Emphasizes the cooperative aspect of a group working together.

shared

Highlights the common possession or experience among members of a group.

communal

Suggests a sense of community and shared resources or living arrangements.

united

Highlights the agreement and cooperation among members.

corporate

Relates to a formal organization or company, implying a unified entity.

combined

Indicates the merging of individual efforts or resources.

aggregated

Refers to the gathering of separate items into a unified whole.

pooled

Suggests the combining of resources or efforts for a common purpose.

FAQs

How to use "collective" in a sentence?

Use "collective" to describe something shared or done by a group. For example, "The team made a "collective decision" after thorough discussion."

What can I say instead of "collective"?

You can use alternatives like "group", "joint", or "shared" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "collective responsibility" or "individual responsibility"?

"Collective responsibility" refers to a shared duty or obligation among a group, while "individual responsibility" refers to the duty of a single person. The correct choice depends on whether the responsibility is shared or assigned to an individual.

What's the difference between "collective" and "collaborative"?

"Collective" emphasizes shared ownership or participation, while "collaborative" specifically highlights the act of working together. A "collective effort" might involve individual contributions, whereas a collaborative project requires active cooperation.