living together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "living together" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to two people who are living together in an intimate relationship, usually a romantic one, without being married. For example: "Mark and Kelly have been living together for two years, but they aren't ready to get married yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the first place the variable living together is divided into two levels: 0 = 'not living together', 1 = 'living together'.

BMC Medical Education

How was living together?

The New York Times

We're living together already.

The New Yorker

"We're living together".

The New York Times

All of us living together".

The New York Times

WEDNESDAY: Living together.

The New York Times

We are living together.

The New York Times

They are living together.

The Guardian - Books

TODAY -- Living together.

The New York Times

Is living together primarily an economic arrangement?

The New York Times

"One date, and you're living together".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "living together" to describe people sharing a common residence, especially when there is an implication of a close relationship, such as partners, family members, or roommates.

Common error

Avoid using "living together" when simply referring to people residing in the same building without any personal connection. It typically implies a closer relationship than mere proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "living together" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly used to describe the state of sharing a residence, particularly in a close relationship. This is supported by numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "living together" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of sharing a residence, typically implying a close relationship. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for both informal and formal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "cohabitating" exist. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific research, and everyday conversations. When using "living together", ensure the context accurately reflects the intended relationship between the individuals, distinguishing it from mere roommates or unrelated co-habitants. As usage examples demonstrate, it's also important to consider cultural nuances when discussing "living together" in international settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cohabitating

This alternative is a more formal term for "living together", often used in legal or sociological contexts.

residing together

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "living together", suitable for official documents or formal speech.

sharing a household

This alternative focuses on the communal aspect of sharing resources and responsibilities within a home.

sharing a residence

This alternative emphasizes the physical aspect of sharing a home, without necessarily implying a romantic relationship.

sharing living quarters

This alternative is a more technical term emphasizing the physical space that is shared.

making a home together

This alternative focuses on building a life and creating a shared domestic space.

keeping house together

This alternative emphasizes the shared responsibility for maintaining a home.

rooming together

This alternative is typically used when the relationship is less intimate, such as with roommates.

establishing a joint residence

This alternative is a formal and legalistic way of describing the act of setting up a shared home.

dwelling together

This alternative is a somewhat archaic term for "living together", suggesting a more permanent arrangement.

FAQs

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

You can use "living together" to describe couples sharing a home before marriage, as in "They have been "living together" for five years and are now planning their wedding".

What's a more formal alternative to "living together"?

A more formal alternative to "living together" is "cohabitating", which is often used in legal or sociological contexts.

Is "living together" the same as being married?

"Living together" usually implies an intimate relationship where two individuals share a residence without being legally married. Marriage is a legally recognized union, whereas "living together" is not.

How does "living together" differ from having roommates?

"Living together" generally suggests a close relationship, often romantic, while having roommates implies a shared residence primarily for economic or practical reasons without necessarily involving a deep emotional connection. The phrase "sharing a residence" does not imply intimacy.