join forces

USAGE SUMMARY

"join forces" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used when two or more people/groups decide to work together in order to achieve a common goal. For example: "The two rival companies decided to join forces and develop a new product together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Unless they join forces.

The Economist

Agreeing to join forces, both secured it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We need to join forces.

The New York Times

Here he could join forces with General Abubakar.

The Economist

Enraged by his impudence, they join forces.

The Guardian - Books

They should join forces, not fight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

And so they joined forces.

The New Yorker

So they joined forces.

The New York Times

The pair have joined forces before.

The Economist

What if G.M. and Ford joined forces?

The New York Times

They have joined forces in big protests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "join forces" to clearly convey the idea of two or more entities combining their efforts for a common goal. Ensure the context makes it clear who is joining forces and what they aim to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "join forces" when the collaboration is superficial or lacks genuine commitment. "Joining forces" implies a significant level of cooperation and shared responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "join forces" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of combining resources or efforts. Ludwig AI examples show its frequent use in describing strategic alliances and collaborative endeavors across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "join forces" is a very common verb phrase used to describe the act of combining efforts for a shared objective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and business. Alternatives like "collaborate" or "team up" offer similar meanings, though "join forces" often emphasizes a more strategic alliance. When using the phrase "join forces", ensure that the context clearly indicates the participants and their shared goal. As the examples illustrate, its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, conveying a sense of unified action and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collaborate

Implies working jointly on an activity or project, often emphasizing shared effort.

team up

Suggests forming a team to achieve a specific objective, often in a more informal context.

unite

Highlights the act of coming together for a shared cause or purpose, emphasizing solidarity.

cooperate

Focuses on working together harmoniously to achieve a mutual benefit, stressing shared action.

band together

Emphasizes forming a group or alliance, often in response to a common threat or challenge.

pool resources

Highlights the sharing of assets or capabilities to enhance collective strength.

form an alliance

Suggests a formal agreement to cooperate, often between organizations or nations.

combine efforts

Focuses on merging individual work or initiatives to increase efficiency and impact.

work together

A general term for collaborating, emphasizing shared labor and mutual support.

affiliate

Suggests formally connecting or associating for mutual support and resources.

FAQs

How can I use "join forces" in a sentence?

You can use "join forces" to describe situations where two or more entities collaborate. For example: "The two companies decided to "join forces" to develop a new technology".

What are some alternatives to "join forces"?

Alternatives to "join forces" include "collaborate", "team up", and "unite". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "join forces" in formal writing?

Yes, "join forces" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe collaboration across different contexts.

What's the difference between "join forces" and "work together"?

"Join forces" implies a more deliberate and strategic alliance than simply "work together". While "work together" suggests cooperation, "join forces" suggests a combined effort towards a specific, often significant, objective. You can also use phrases like "combine efforts".