their respective communities

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the individual communities that a particular group of people belong to. For example: Each of the students was proud to represent their respective communities at the conference.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Toulouse tragedy could tempt both communities into retreating behind the boundaries of their respective communities.

The Guardian - Opinion

The water system is comprised of interconnected tanks and their respective communities.

Columbia University

Both departments are aggressive when dealing with members outside their respective communities, Glavin said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While they have come together, the leaders of their respective communities have been finding it difficult to do the same.

The Guardian

When word of their relationship spreads through their respective communities, the two young people find themselves standing at a flashpoint.

The New York Times

For example, religious Jews immigrating to Israel generally continue to pray in synagogues established by their respective communities.

Britannica

Both universities prepared their proposals with input from their respective communities, and often the proposals build on existing programs.

The New York Times

Public blockchains are large distributed networks based on open-source code that is developed and maintained by their respective communities.

Columbia University

Students can compare notes on, say, how to arrange a public health follow-up for a family in their respective communities.

The New York Times

While the boards serves as the voice of the community, they also guide the planning and development of their respective communities.

The New York Times

The statement, which has some 170 signatories, many of them prominent in their respective communities, took some six months to prepare, undergoing countless revisions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about multiple groups and their community involvement, use "their respective communities" to highlight that each group's impact is specific to their own community context.

Common error

Avoid using "its respective communities" when referring to multiple individuals or groups. "Its" is singular, while "their" correctly indicates a plural possessive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their respective communities" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying that different individuals or entities are each associated with a particular, distinct community. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their respective communities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that helps to clarify that different individuals or groups are each connected to their own, distinct community. Ludwig provides numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirming its wide applicability. As noted, it's important to avoid the common error of using "its" instead of "their" when referring to multiple entities. For conveying similar meanings, alternatives such as "their diverse communities" or "their separate communities" can be used. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their diverse communities

Emphasizes the variety within the communities.

their separate communities

Highlights the independent nature of each community.

their own communities

Focuses on the sense of belonging and ownership within each community.

their individual communities

Underscores the unique characteristics of each community.

their associated communities

Highlights the connection or affiliation of the communities.

their particular communities

Emphasizes the specific nature of the communities in question.

their corresponding communities

Suggests a direct relationship or parallel between the communities.

their designated communities

Implies that the communities have been officially assigned or chosen.

their local communities

Indicates a focus on geographically proximate communities.

their surrounding communities

Highlights the communities in the immediate vicinity.

FAQs

How can I use "their respective communities" in a sentence?

You can use "their respective communities" to show that multiple groups or individuals each belong to a different community. For example, "The volunteers worked to improve conditions in their respective communities".

What phrases are similar to "their respective communities"?

Alternatives include "their diverse communities", "their separate communities", or "their "their own communities"", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "its respective communities"?

No, "its respective communities" is incorrect when referring to multiple individuals or groups. Use "their respective communities" instead, as "their" indicates a plural possessive.

What's the difference between "their respective communities" and "their various communities"?

"Their respective communities" implies that each individual or group has a specific, distinct community. "Their various communities" simply suggests that they are involved in multiple communities, without necessarily implying a one-to-one correspondence. Consider these similar alternatives: "their "their diverse communities"" or "their "their individual communities"".