collectively

USAGE SUMMARY

"collectively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people, usually with a shared purpose or goal, who are considered as a single unit. For example: The students worked together collectively to finish the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The very fact that we do them collectively – there are many people involved in the collective, not just the leftwing.

The Guardian - Film

10 10 has now worked with 50 schools in a diverse range of communities from the Isles of Scilly to Stockton-on-Tees, who have collectively raised over £400,000 for Solar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of course these collectively are nowhere near the carbon cuts we need.

The Guardian

Those complaints are admissions that the state is, or ought to be, all of us working collectively for the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

These gentle giants are collectively known as the Paps of Jura.

The Guardian - Travel

Over time, most internet traffic would consist of one machine talking to another, handling micro-tasks that could collectively add up to vast efficiencies and convenience for humans.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Nafta provided little enforcement in those areas, and virtually none on violations of the right to unionize and bargain collectively.

The Guardian

He adds: "My dream is a publication that is really created collectively, that is younger, with a more modern type of satire, just as political as ever but with more focus on culture.

The Guardian

We need to have more of that catalysing of cross-fertilisation of these discussions across our different groups in order to have a more systemic and more holistic conversation towards what is the vision we would like to see, how can we collectively begin exploring different pathways to doing that.

The Guardian

Collectively the cuts would save around £5bn, showing how ambitious it may be for ministers to reach the £12bn target.

The Guardian

It's a virtuous combination of well-qualified, skilled teachers motivated by clear, fair-minded and knowledgable leadership, collectively focused on students' wellbeing and all-round achievements.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collectively" to emphasize that a group is acting as one, rather than as individuals. This can strengthen your argument and highlight the unified effort.

Common error

Avoid using "collectively" when describing actions taken by individuals separately. "Collectively" should only apply when the group is acting together as a single entity.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "collectively" functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed by a group acting as a single unit. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the unified nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "collectively" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for describing actions performed by a group as a single unit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its application across various contexts, primarily in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. While "collectively" is a versatile term, it's crucial to avoid misusing it for actions performed individually. Alternatives like "jointly" or "together" can be used depending on the intended meaning. The writing guidance emphasizes the need to ensure that the group acts as a unified whole, underscoring the importance of proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jointly

Stresses the shared nature of an action or responsibility.

together

A more general term indicating combined action or presence.

as a whole

Highlights the entirety of a group or entity considered together.

as a group

Emphasizes the group nature of the action or outcome, rather than the unified manner.

in collaboration

Highlights the cooperative nature of the action.

in concert

Similar to 'in unison,' implying a harmonious and coordinated effort.

in unison

Suggests a coordinated and simultaneous action.

unitedly

Emphasizes the unity and agreement within a group.

in a group

Focuses on the involvement of individuals in a group rather than acting as single unit.

by agreement

Indicates actions performed due to a mutual understanding or consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "collectively" in a sentence?

Use "collectively" to indicate that a group is acting as a single unit. For instance, "The team members "worked collectively" to complete the project."

What are some alternatives to "collectively"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "jointly", "together", or "as a group".

Is it correct to use "collectively" when referring to individual actions?

No, "collectively" should only be used when a group is acting as a single, unified entity. Use other adverbs or phrases when describing individual actions.

What is the difference between "collectively" and "collaboratively"?

"Collectively" implies that the group is acting as one, whereas "collaboratively" suggests that individuals are working together but still maintaining their individual roles.