collective spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

"collective spirit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a feeling of shared enthusiasm, purpose, and camaraderie among a group of people working together. For example, "The team showed a great collective spirit when they worked together to win the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That collective spirit now exists as a civic resource.

The New York Times - Magazine

To Bates, the effort was in keeping with the Lair's collective spirit.

The New York Times - Sports

Smallholders had about as much collective spirit as "a sack of potatoes", he once complained.

The Economist

"To me," he said, "it's to do with the collective spirit.

The New York Times - Sports

And we just don't have any kind of collective spirit to overcome it".

The New York Times - Sports

But the collective spirit is new-minted, unmediated and bracing (the quality of translation high).

The Guardian - Books

"The collective spirit this city that I adore showed after the attacks took my breath away.

The Guardian

The audience tried gamely to generate that collective spirit of attending the opera.

The New York Times - Arts

"Our individual class and collective spirit made the difference," Gerets said.

The Guardian - Sport

We do not have a team of superstars, but they have heart and a collective spirit".

The Guardian - Sport

And she is moved by the collective spirit and passion of ENB's dancers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about overcoming adversity, highlight how the "collective spirit" helped to achieve success despite challenges.

Common error

Avoid attributing successes solely to the "collective spirit" when individual contributions are significant. Acknowledge both individual efforts and the power of teamwork for a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective spirit" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a shared feeling or attitude within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a feeling of shared enthusiasm, purpose, and camaraderie. For example, "The collective spirit this city showed... took my breath away."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sport

29%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collective spirit" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase that signifies the shared enthusiasm, unity, and camaraderie within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often describes positive group dynamics and the power of teamwork, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is most frequently found in news and sports reporting. Alternatives such as "esprit de corps" or "team morale" can be considered for nuanced variations. When employing this phrase, remember to balance the focus on the group with recognition of individual contributions, avoiding overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

esprit de corps

A French term that encapsulates team spirit and camaraderie.

community spirit

Focuses on the shared feeling of belonging and cooperation within a community.

group solidarity

Emphasizes unity and mutual support within a group.

group cohesion

Focuses on the degree to which members of a group are connected.

sense of camaraderie

Highlights the feeling of friendship and loyalty among members of a group.

team morale

Focuses more specifically on the emotional state of a team.

united front

Emphasizes presenting a unified appearance or action.

shared ethos

Highlights a common set of values and beliefs.

common purpose

Stresses the shared objective that unites a group.

joint effort

Highlights collaborative work towards a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "collective spirit" to describe the shared enthusiasm and unity within a group, as in "The team's "collective spirit" was key to their victory".

What's an alternative to "collective spirit"?

Consider using phrases like "esprit de corps", "group solidarity", or "team morale" as alternatives to "collective spirit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "collective spirit" formal or informal?

"Collective spirit" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally suitable for news articles, sports reports, and community discussions.

What contributes to a strong "collective spirit"?

Factors such as clear communication, shared goals, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging typically contribute to a strong "collective spirit" within a group or organization.