elusive together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elusive together" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to describe something that is difficult to grasp or define, yet exists in a collective sense. Example: "The concept of happiness can often feel elusive together, as it varies from person to person."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ask a physicist, and he will probably tell you that it consists of 17 irreducible point-like particles (16 of which have been detected and one of which remains elusive), together with three forces.Alas, things are not quite that simple.

The Economist

The second step, that is, the binding of glyceryl- S-ACP to the nascent polyketide chain and detachment of the polyketide from the polyketide synthase, remains elusive together with the subsequent dehydration.

ChemBioChem

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just as important were the museum-quality exhibitions organized by the Galerie Beyeler, whose lavish catalogs played no small role in establishing Mr. Beyeler's reputation among collectors and artists, and his ingenious negotiations that brought museum officials, secretive collectors and elusive artists together.

The New York Times - Arts

The relatively low cumulative box-office totals of some of the leading candidates in major categories will cause professional worriers to worry anew that the Academy has lost touch with the mainstream audience, while the rulers of the Academy and the producers of its annual broadcast will strain to find new ways to bring that elusive audience together for at least one night.

The New York Times

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick failed to secure their elusive fourth ring together, ultimately falling to the Giants by a final score of 21-17.

Huffington Post

Instead, what binds this elusive Christian movement together is a radical emphasis on male authority and big families.

Vice

Although the exact function of CD146 on different cell types remains elusive, these observations – together with published results for lymphocytes [ 8] – reinforce the hypothesis that CD146 is an actor of cell migration.

Breast Cancer Research

Vita remains elusive, but Stapinski weaves together an engrossing set of possibilities.

The New Yorker

But mostly, look for whether Mr. Obama puts together that elusive combination of inspiration and specificity that creates confidence.

The New York Times

But the so-called Nabucco pipeline has never managed to put together the elusive formula of plentiful supplies, customers and financing.

The New York Times

But early in a presidency, they factor together into the elusive equations of Presidential power that can describe the whole term.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common phrases like "difficult to achieve together" or "hard to define collectively" for better clarity and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "elusive together" in formal writing. It may sound awkward. Opt for clearer alternatives like "difficult to achieve collectively" or "hard to define as one" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elusive together" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, combined with an adverbial element. It describes a state or quality that is difficult to attain or define when considered as a unified entity, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elusive together" describes something difficult to grasp or achieve collectively. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests it may sound awkward and isn't frequently used. Common contexts include science and news & media. Alternatives like "difficult to achieve collectively" are often preferred. Usage analysis reveals that while the phrase is understandable, opting for more common synonyms can enhance clarity and acceptance. The expert rating balances grammatical correctness with the phrase's infrequent usage and potential awkwardness. Therefore, consider more conventional alternatives for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to achieve collectively

Replaces "elusive" with a more straightforward synonym and emphasizes the group aspect with "collectively".

hard to grasp as one

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding something when considered as a single, unified entity.

fleeting as a group

Focuses on the transient nature of something experienced collectively, using "fleeting" instead of "elusive".

unattainable jointly

Highlights the impossibility of achieving something when working together.

collectively out of reach

Emphasizes that something is beyond the grasp of a group.

shared but undefined

Suggests a common experience that lacks clear definition or understanding.

vague in unison

Focuses on the lack of clarity when something is considered or experienced together.

ambiguous when combined

Highlights the confusion that arises when different elements are brought together.

evasive as a whole

Indicates that something avoids being directly addressed or understood when looked at in its entirety.

obscure when unified

Emphasizes the lack of clarity when elements are brought together into a single unit.

FAQs

What does "elusive together" mean?

The phrase "elusive together" describes something that is difficult to grasp, find, or achieve when considered collectively or as a unified group. It suggests a shared but indistinct quality.

What are some alternatives to "elusive together"?

You could use phrases like "difficult to achieve collectively", "hard to grasp as one", or "fleeting as a group depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "elusive together" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "elusive together" is not a commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is acceptable, but it might sound slightly awkward. Using more common alternatives is often preferable.

How can I use "elusive together" in a sentence?

You can use "elusive together" to describe concepts, goals, or qualities that are hard to define or achieve when viewed as a collective. For instance: "The team found success "difficult to achieve collectively"".