their colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who work together in a professional setting, indicating a relationship among peers. Example: "The team collaborated effectively, sharing ideas and resources with their colleagues to achieve the project goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They slandered their colleagues.

The Economist

That's great for their colleagues.

The New York Times - Arts

Their colleagues have a long road ahead.

The Economist

They were much-loved by their colleagues".

Independent

"Businessmen trust their colleagues," he said.

The New York Times

Their colleagues were furious.

The Guardian

But do their colleagues?

The Guardian

Their colleagues and former boyfriends.

The New York Times - Travel

Not their colleagues or their managers.

The Guardian

They deserve their colleagues' strong support.

The New York Times

Their colleagues had better be taking note.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When focusing on shared responsibilities and collaboration use "their colleagues" to create an environment of mutual respect.

Common error

While "their colleagues" is appropriate in professional and academic settings, consider using more casual terms like "their friends" or "their peers" in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their colleagues" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "They slandered their colleagues." Here, it acts as the object of the verb "slandered".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their colleagues" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to denote individuals working together in a professional setting. Ludwig confirms its correctness and versatility. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic discourse. When a more informal tone is required, alternatives like "their coworkers" or "their peers" can be considered. While "their colleagues" is a valuable tool, avoiding its overuse in casual conversation is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their coworkers

Replaces "colleagues" with a more informal term for people working together.

their peers

Focuses on the idea of individuals who are on the same level or standing in a professional setting.

their associates

Highlights a formal or professional connection among the individuals.

their collaborators

Emphasizes the joint effort or teamwork among the individuals.

their teammates

Suggests a shared involvement in a specific project or activity.

their fellow workers

A more descriptive substitute, emphasizing the shared work environment.

their professional network

Broadens the scope to include individuals connected through professional relationships.

their workmates

A more casual term, primarily used in British English.

their office mates

Highlights the shared office space.

their professional circle

Emphasizes a group of individuals connected through profession.

FAQs

How can I use "their colleagues" in a sentence?

Use "their colleagues" to refer to people who work together in a professional setting. For example: "The success of the project was due to the collaborative efforts of "their colleagues"."

What are some alternatives to "their colleagues"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "their coworkers", "their peers", or "their associates".

Is "their colleagues" formal or informal?

"Their colleagues" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. For more casual situations, consider using "their workmates" or similar alternatives.

What's the difference between "their colleagues" and "their collaborators"?

"Their colleagues" refers to individuals who work together in a general sense, while "their collaborators" specifically emphasizes those who are working together on a particular project or task. The latter highlights a joint effort more directly.