collective action

USAGE SUMMARY

'collective action' is correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used to refer to action taken together by a group or individuals in order to achieve a common goal. For example: "The community worked together to take collective action against the proposed development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Furthermore, one can collectively intend to perform a collective action, but one cannot individually intend to perform a collective action.

BMC Medical Ethics

Certain pieces involve collective action.

The New York Times - Arts

Some collective action is needed.

The New Yorker

KL: It's collective action.

The Guardian - Film

Their only strength comes from collective action.

The New York Times

Collective Action in the Himalayas.

Harvard University

"I love that powerful collective action".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There's a collective-action problem involved.

The Economist

Part of the challenge is the collective-action problem.

The New Yorker

OPEC's members face a classic collective-action problem.

The New Yorker

Think of meaningful collective action against climate change.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing challenges that require group coordination to overcome individual incentives, frame it as a "collective action problem". For example, "The tragedy of the commons illustrates a collective action problem."

Common error

Avoid using "collective action" when describing actions performed by individuals independently. "Collective action" implies a degree of coordination and shared purpose among participants. Ensure it's clear that the effort involves a group.

Linguistic Context

Collective action functions primarily as a noun phrase, denoting a coordinated effort by a group to achieve a shared objective. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in describing scenarios where individuals or groups act in concert. For example, sentences like "Some collective action is needed" demonstrate its function as a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Collective action is a noun phrase that signifies coordinated group efforts towards a shared goal. As confirmed by Ludwig, its use is grammatically sound and frequently observed across diverse sources. This phrase is most commonly found in news, science, and academic contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions about social, political, and environmental issues. Related phrases include "collaborative effort" and "concerted effort", which emphasize similar concepts. To use it effectively, remember that "collective action" implies a coordinated effort, not just individual contributions. In essence, this phrase is a powerful tool for highlighting the importance of working together to address shared challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combined effort

A general term referring to the pooling of resources or work.

collaborative effort

Emphasizes the joint work of individuals towards a common goal.

concerted effort

Suggests a planned and coordinated attempt to achieve a specific outcome.

joint endeavor

Highlights the shared undertaking and purpose of the action.

coordinated response

Highlights the synchronization and organization of the action.

group initiative

Focuses on the proactive and collective nature of the action.

team endeavor

Specifically relates the action to a team working together.

communal undertaking

Emphasizes the community aspect and shared responsibility.

united front

Implies a unified and cohesive approach in response to a challenge.

synergistic action

Emphasizes that the result is greater than the sum of individual parts.

FAQs

How can I use "collective action" in a sentence?

You can use "collective action" to describe scenarios where a group of individuals work together to achieve a common goal, such as "Collective action is needed to address environmental concerns".

What's a situation where "collective action" is necessary?

Situations where individual efforts are insufficient to solve a problem often require "collective action". Examples include addressing climate change, public health crises, or social inequalities, where coordinated efforts are essential.

What can I say instead of "collective action"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "collaborative effort", "joint endeavor", or "concerted effort".

Is "collective actions" also correct, or should I always use "collective action"?

While "collective actions" is grammatically correct as a plural form, "collective action" is often used as an uncountable noun to refer to the general concept. Both can be used, but "collective action" is more common in general discussions about the topic, while "collective actions" might refer to specific instances of groups acting together.