my counterpart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my counterpart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is in a similar position as you, but on the opposing side (for example, if you are working on a project as a team, your counterpart would be the other person or group of people you are collaborating with). Example sentence: My counterpart and I worked together diligently to complete our project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This was my counterpart, Jenny, and me.

The New York Times

I have nothing but admiration for my counterpart.

The New York Times

And though we talked mostly about Syria, I could still take stock of my counterpart.

The New York Times

"I learned not to assume so much from my counterpart," says Mr. Cuccioli, 43.

The New York Times

"I over-reacted in an exchange of words between myself and my counterpart," admitted Marumo.

The Guardian - Sport

My counterpart in Midland is about to have a bad day, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I try to maintain a good relationship with my counterparts on the police department," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, this type of choice is one that my counterparts elsewhere will recognise.

The Guardian

"I don't mean to be blowing my own horn, but I believe that was respected by my counterparts".

The New York Times

Unlike the chest-thumping bravado of my counterparts in the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, I prefer to be realistic.

The New York Times

I hope my counterparts will also turn their focus, and devote their resources, to this existential battle".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my counterpart", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of the comparison. State their title, company, or project to provide clarity for the audience.

Common error

While "my counterpart" is suitable in professional and formal communication, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Choose simpler terms like "my colleague" or "the other person on the team" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my counterpart" functions as a noun phrase, where "my" is a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "counterpart". It identifies a person holding a similar position or role in a different organization or team, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my counterpart" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to denote an individual holding an equivalent position within a separate entity. According to Ludwig, its function extends to establishing connections for communication, comparison, or collaboration. Predominantly, it appears in news and media contexts, signifying a neutral to professional tone. When aiming for clarity, always state the context of comparison such as title, company or specific project when using the term. Though very effective in formal environments, simpler terms might be more suited for informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my opposite number

Replaces "counterpart" with "opposite number", which is frequently used in formal contexts, specifically in political or professional settings.

my equivalent

Substitutes "counterpart" with "equivalent", emphasizing the sameness in function or status.

the person in my position elsewhere

More descriptive, specifying that the individual holds a similar role but in a different organization or location.

my opposite number in command

This phrase is mostly used when someone wants to highlight the hierarchy.

my peer

Replaces "counterpart" with "peer", emphasizing shared status or level in a profession or field.

my equivalent representative

Adds an emphasis on equivalent.

the matching role

Highlights the matching aspect of their positions.

my opposite

Shortened form, useful when the opposition or contrast is a key element.

my correspondent

Highlights the matching aspect of their positions and actions in different fields.

my opposite number in another location

Adds an emphasis on equivalent and different locations.

FAQs

How can I use "my counterpart" in a sentence?

You can use "my counterpart" to refer to someone who holds a similar position as you in a different organization or team. For example, "I collaborated with "my counterpart" at the competitor company to develop industry standards".

What can I say instead of "my counterpart"?

You can use alternatives like "my opposite number", "my equivalent", or "the person in my position elsewhere" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "my counterpart" in informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, using "my counterpart" in casual conversations might sound overly formal. In such scenarios, alternatives like "my colleague" or "the other person on the team" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "my counterpart" and "my colleague"?

"My colleague" refers to someone you work with in the same organization or team, while "my counterpart" refers to someone who holds a similar position but in a different entity. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.