mutual

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mutual" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to something that is shared or experienced by two or more people or things, such as feelings, understanding, benefit, or agreement. For example, "The two parties reached a mutual agreement about the terms of the sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be far-fetched to describe the US and Britain's long-term relationship with Saudi Arabia as a love affair, although elements of romance, blind infatuation and lustful mutual gratification have never been entirely absent.

The Guardian

Each of Sandra's co-workers must effectively choose between atomised, competitive, neoliberal self-interest and some form of collective power and mutual support.

The Guardian - Film

"And I was very open with journalists, so they didn't try to fill in gaps in the story, which meant a platform of mutual respect was established from the outset," Batty will say.

The Guardian

Yet the coalition endured the past year, and is most likely to survive 2013 as well, if only because its very unpopularity gives the Tories and the Lib Dems a mutual interest in avoiding an early election.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its roots are in the second world war and the mutual loathing of both teams and sets of fans intensified after "The Mother of all Defeats", when the Germans famously triumphed over the Dutch in the 1974 World Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

Miliband's stance has the additional benefit of almost identical to that of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, so at least giving both parties some mutual political cover.

The Guardian

Edgecombe, a smalltime hustler and jazz promoter from Antigua, met the 20-year-old Keeler through a mutual friend in September 1962.

The Guardian

Neil Lovatt, director at a financial mutual, Scottish Friendly, reckons anyone who thinks they will get a good deal by cashing in an existing annuity is "living in cloud cuckoo land".

The Guardian - Money

In 2000, when the first of what are now annual June long-weekend commemorations at Myall Creek took place, descendants of victims and killers united in an act of mutual apology and forgiveness.

The Guardian

A statement on the east London club's website read: "We announce today that Fabio Liverani will be leaving his role as manager of the club by mutual consent.

The Guardian - Sport

A world where we are told "there is no alternative" to the loss of rights gained through the long, hard struggles of our ancestors, and where success is defined in opposition to the most fundamental values of humanity, such as solidarity and mutual support.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mutual" to describe relationships or agreements where both parties benefit or share the same feelings. For instance, "They developed a mutual understanding over time."

Common error

Avoid using "mutual" to describe actions or feelings that are only experienced by one party. "Mutual respect" implies both parties respect each other; "I have mutual respect for him" is incorrect if the respect is not reciprocated.

Linguistic Context

The word "mutual" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a shared or reciprocal relationship, feeling, or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing shared experiences or agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mutual" functions as an adjective to indicate shared or reciprocal relationships, feelings, or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, primarily within news, business, and academic spheres. While "mutual" implies reciprocity, it's important to avoid using it for unilateral actions or feelings. Alternatives like "shared", "reciprocal", or "joint" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to ensure that the quality and tone of your writing is always aligned with the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reciprocal

Emphasizes the exchange or give-and-take nature of the relationship or action.

joint

Indicates that something is done or held by two or more parties together.

shared

Focuses on the aspect of having something in common without necessarily implying reciprocity.

collective

Stresses the involvement of a group acting as a whole.

interdependent

Emphasizes that the parties rely on each other.

common

Highlights that something is experienced or possessed by more than one party.

bilateral

Specifically refers to agreements or relationships between two parties.

give-and-take

Informal way of describing a reciprocal exchange or compromise.

corresponding

Suggests a similarity or equivalence between two or more things.

interactive

Highlights the dynamic and responsive nature of the relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "mutual" in a sentence?

You can use "mutual" to describe something shared or experienced by two or more parties, such as "They have a "mutual understanding"", or "There was "mutual respect" between them".

What's an alternative to saying "mutual agreement"?

Alternatives to "mutual agreement" include phrases like "joint agreement", "shared understanding", or simply "agreement depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have mutual feelings for someone" if they don't feel the same way?

No, the term "mutual" implies that the feelings are reciprocated. If the other person doesn't share the same feelings, it's more accurate to say "I have feelings for them", without using "mutual".

What is the difference between "mutual" and "common"?

"Mutual" implies a reciprocal or shared relationship or feeling between two or more parties. "Common" simply means something is shared or found in many places, without necessarily implying reciprocity. For example, a "common interest" may not be a "mutual interest" if the people involved are unaware of each other.