our collective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our collective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a shared group or community, often in the context of experiences, efforts, or goals that are common among members. Example: "In our collective pursuit of knowledge, we have made significant strides in understanding the complexities of the universe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our collective heads were spinning.

The New York Times

We understand our collective power.

The Economist

"Our collective intensity and will.

The New York Times - Sports

Thought-foxes stalk our collective imagination.

Independent

"They always remain in our collective imagination".

The New York Times

So, let's hold our collective breaths.

The New Yorker

It represents our collective soul.

The New York Times

They people our collective memory.

The New York Times

It's in our collective DNA.

The New York Times

We've lost our collective narrative, she continues.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's also about our collective past.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our collective" when you want to emphasize a shared attribute, responsibility, or experience within a group. It adds a sense of unity and commonality.

Common error

Avoid using "our collective" when individual differences or nuanced perspectives within the group are important. It's crucial not to overgeneralize or erase individual identities in the pursuit of highlighting shared attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our collective" functions as a determiner followed by a noun (often abstract). It serves to modify the noun by indicating that it is something shared or characteristic of a group. Ludwig AI provides examples where "our collective" modifies nouns like 'imagination', 'power', and 'memory'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "our collective" is a commonly used expression, primarily found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize a shared attribute, responsibility, or experience within a group. Alternatives such as ""our shared"" or "our common" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overgeneralizations; and the goal is to highlight unity and shared attributes without erasing individual differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our shared

Replaces "collective" with a simpler synonym emphasizing commonality.

our united

Emphasizes the aspect of being joined together in purpose or action.

our common

Highlights what is held in common or is typical for the group.

our mutual

Focuses on the reciprocal nature of something experienced or held by the group.

our joint

Suggests a combined effort or ownership.

our group

A more direct and less formal way of referring to the ensemble.

the ensemble's

Uses a possessive form to indicate belonging to the whole entity.

our combined

Highlights the merging or adding together of resources or qualities.

our pooled

Implies resources or efforts have been brought together for a common purpose.

as a group

Replaces the adjective form of the phrase with a prepositional one.

FAQs

How do I use "our collective" in a sentence?

You can use "our collective" to describe shared attributes, experiences, or responsibilities within a group. For example, "Our collective memory" or "Our collective effort". It is important to use it when referring to a group as a whole, highlighting a shared aspect.

What are some alternatives to "our collective"?

Alternatives include "our shared", "our common", or "our joint". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. For instance, "our shared" experience emphasizes commonality, while "our joint" effort highlights collaboration.

Is it correct to say "the collective of us" instead of "our collective"?

While "the collective of us" is grammatically correct, "our collective" is more concise and commonly used. The former can sound more formal or even slightly awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "our collective" and "our individual"?

"Our collective" refers to something shared by a group, while "our individual" refers to something specific to each member of the group. They represent opposite perspectives: the group as a whole versus the members separately.