cooperate with

USAGE SUMMARY

"cooperate with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more individuals who are working together to accomplish a common goal. For example, "The two teams had to cooperate with each other to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cooperate with each other.

The New York Times

They cooperate with terrorists.

The Washington Post

They cooperate with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We must totally cooperate with him".

The Guardian

The victim refused to cooperate with police.

The New York Times

We continue to cooperate with these requests.

The New York Times

It pledged to cooperate with investigators.

The New York Times

"They all cooperate with one another".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Everybody cooperate with Fidel," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

We will not cooperate with censorship.

The New York Times

Students will cooperate with others.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cooperate with", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is cooperating and with whom. For example, "The students should cooperate with each other".

Common error

Avoid assuming that cooperation is always reciprocal. While it ideally is, sometimes one party may cooperate without expecting immediate returns. Be explicit about expectations to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cooperate with" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a willingness or action to work jointly with another party. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cooperate with" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a willingness to work jointly with others. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and applicable in numerous contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, it conveys collaboration, assistance, or compliance. When using "cooperate with", clarity is key: explicitly state who is cooperating with whom to avoid ambiguity. While cooperation ideally is reciprocal, it's important to manage expectations clearly. Alternatives such as "collaborate with" and "work together with" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that "cooperate with" implies a voluntary action, distinct from "comply with", which suggests adherence to rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collaborate with

This term emphasizes a joint effort to create or produce something together.

work together with

Highlights the aspect of shared labor and mutual support in achieving a goal.

coordinate with

Focuses on aligning actions and ensuring smooth interaction between parties.

assist

Implies providing help or support to someone or something.

aid

Indicates giving assistance, often in a more formal or official capacity.

lend a hand to

An idiomatic expression suggesting offering help or support.

join forces with

Suggests combining resources or efforts to achieve a common objective.

be in league with

This term implies a formal agreement to cooperate on a specific action.

form an alliance with

Indicates a formal partnership for mutual benefit and support.

act in concert with

This phrase conveys that different parties are working together harmoniously.

FAQs

How can I use "cooperate with" in a sentence?

You can use "cooperate with" to describe working together towards a common goal. For example, "The companies agreed to "collaborate with" each other on the project".

What's a formal alternative to "cooperate with"?

In formal contexts, consider using "coordinate with" or "collaborate with". These options convey a sense of structured and organized teamwork.

Is there a difference between "cooperate with" and "comply with"?

"Cooperate with" implies a voluntary agreement to work together, while "comply with" suggests adherence to rules or regulations. Comply is more about obedience than teamwork.

What are some common phrases used with "cooperate with"?

Common phrases include "cooperate with authorities", "cooperate with investigators", and "cooperate with each other". These phrases emphasize the recipient or target of the cooperation.