fellow colleague

USAGE SUMMARY

"fellow colleague" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when referring to another person with whom you work. For example: "I'd like to thank my fellow colleague for helping me work on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Several years ago, when I was still working, a younger friend at work confided in a fellow colleague and me that she had doubts about her current boyfriend.

The New York Times

He once grabbed my waist from behind – in front of our fellow colleague, at the office – and proceeded to repeatedly thrust his crotch into my backside.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray has admitted that he considered killing himself after being sacked by the broadcaster for making sexist remarks about a football official and a fellow colleague.

The Guardian - Sport

Can an employee report suspicious activities of a fellow colleague, client or visitor without negative ramifications?

Huffington Post

We spoke with both doctors, the tongue mesh inventor Dr. Góngora and fellow colleague Dr. González, who defended the tongue-mesh surgery. .

Vice

In this piece, Mr. Hali maligns my fellow colleague, Irfan Nooruddin (whose name he misspells) as a "highly biased scholar of Indian origin".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fellow colleagues expounded on entrepreneurship.

The New York Times - Tech

"Abusing compassionate leave is inconsiderate to fellow colleagues who may genuinely need the time off".

Independent

Pat's response to losing his job is to take all his fellow colleagues hostage.

Independent

"It was truly amazing to see the enthusiasm and support of our fellow colleagues," Ms. Kaplan said.

The New York Times

Perhaps for some people, moaning represents a cathartic form of therapy conducted at the expense of their fellow colleagues' sanity.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fellow colleague" to emphasize a sense of camaraderie and shared professional identity, particularly when addressing a group or referring to someone within your field.

Common error

Avoid using "fellow colleague" excessively, especially in informal settings. Simpler terms like "colleague" or "coworker" are often more appropriate and less redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fellow colleague" functions as a noun phrase used to identify and refer to a person who shares a professional setting. As Ludwig examples show, it often emphasizes a sense of shared experience or camaraderie with another person in the same field.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fellow colleague" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to someone who shares your profession or workplace. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase emphasizes a sense of community and shared identity. While simpler alternatives like "colleague" or "coworker" might be more appropriate in informal settings, "fellow colleague" is suitable for formal and professional communications, particularly when you want to express solidarity or recognition. Remember to avoid overusing it to prevent redundancy, and be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coworker

This is a more general and informal term for someone you work with.

workmate

Similar to coworker, but slightly more informal and common in British English.

associate

Implies a closer professional relationship, often in business or legal contexts.

peer

Refers to someone at a similar level in the same profession, often emphasizing equality.

professional acquaintance

Highlights a formal, work-related relationship without necessarily implying friendship.

collaborator

Emphasizes working together on a specific project or task.

member of staff

A formal way to refer to someone who is part of the same organization.

comrade

Suggests a shared sense of purpose or camaraderie, often used in political or military contexts.

compatriot

Indicates shared nationality or background, applicable if colleagues share such attributes.

ally

Implies support and cooperation, emphasizing a partnership in achieving common goals.

FAQs

How can I use "fellow colleague" in a sentence?

You can use "fellow colleague" when referring to someone with whom you share a profession or workplace. For example, "I appreciate the support of my fellow colleague on this project."

What's a more informal way to say "fellow colleague"?

More informal alternatives to "fellow colleague" include "coworker" or "workmate", which are suitable for less formal environments.

Is "fellow colleague" redundant?

While technically "fellow" implies a shared status already conveyed by "colleague", the phrase "fellow colleague" is commonly used to emphasize solidarity and shared experience, although it can be considered slightly redundant in some contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "fellow colleague" instead of just "colleague"?

Use "fellow colleague" when you want to highlight a sense of community or shared identity among colleagues, or when addressing a group of colleagues in a formal or semi-formal setting.