in league with

USAGE SUMMARY

"in league with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe two or more people or entities working together for a particular purpose. For example, "The two rivals were unexpectedly in league with each other to target the same customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone seemed in league with my delusion.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was in league with them, surely.

The New Yorker

Iraq wasn't in league with al-Qaida.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is he in league with the devil?

The Guardian - Music

I am not in league with anyone.

The Guardian

Others are in league with criminals and local power brokers.

The Economist

Gavin Highly was in league with the oysters.

The New Yorker

"I heard him say something in league with it".

The New York Times - Sports

He was in league with them and talking to them.

The New Yorker

In 1940, remember, Stalin was in league with Hitler.

The New York Times - Books

I am in league with the people of Tower Hamlets.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in league with" to clearly indicate cooperation or alliance, especially when there's a shared purpose or goal. For instance, "The marketing team was in league with the sales department to launch the new product."

Common error

While "in league with" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal or even conspiratorial. In formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "in collaboration with" or "in partnership with" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in league with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating association or collaboration, often implying a shared goal or purpose. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase connects entities, suggesting they are working together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in league with" is a versatile expression used to indicate collaboration or alliance between entities, often implying a shared objective. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, it can sometimes carry an informal tone. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "in collaboration with". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and provides numerous examples demonstrating its application in diverse scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of cooperation or strategic partnership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in collaboration with

Emphasizes a cooperative effort towards a common goal.

in partnership with

Highlights a formal agreement or business relationship.

allied with

Suggests a union for mutual benefit or defense.

in cahoots with

Implies a secret or conspiratorial agreement.

in collusion with

Highlights a deceitful or fraudulent collaboration.

working with

A more general term for cooperation without necessarily implying agreement on aims.

associated with

Indicates a connection or relationship, potentially less formal.

affiliated with

Suggests a formal connection, like membership or support.

in concert with

Implies harmonious agreement and joint action.

hand in glove with

Emphasizes a close, often suspicious relationship.

FAQs

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

You can use "in league with" to indicate that two or more parties are working together for a common purpose. For example, "The rebels were "allied with" foreign powers to overthrow the government."

What are some alternatives to saying "in league with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in collaboration with", "in partnership with", or "in alliance with".

Is "in league with" formal or informal?

"In league with" leans towards the informal side. For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "working in collaboration" or "associated with".

When is it appropriate to use "in league with"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize cooperation or alliance, especially when the relationship might be unexpected or slightly secretive. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it might not be suitable for highly formal settings.