these colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group of colleagues that have been previously mentioned or are known to the reader. Example: "I appreciate the hard work and dedication shown by these colleagues during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These colleagues "told me it worked," Kiriakou recalled.

The New Yorker

These colleagues are the type who don't last long in the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

No matter who dies, these colleagues are there to do an important job.

The Guardian

Recognize that these colleagues are real people who may even become your allies.

Harvard Business Review

Some of these colleagues have, deservedly, gone on to wonderful success.

The New York Times

She, or he, gets overly wrapped up in these colleagues' personal lives, believing herself to be kind and helpful.

The New York Times

Day after day, I have been profoundly impressed by the heartfelt dedication that I have seen from these colleagues.

Stanford University

These colleagues slice and dice the doctor's time-honored obligations into fragments that can be difficult to reassemble.

The New York Times

He never seemed like a careerist, these colleagues say, but instead pursued things he was truly passionate about.

Independent

We looked to these colleagues to explain a poem to us, not to tell us our epistemology.

The New York Times - Books

These colleagues included Francesc Ribera, a musician turned politician better known as Titot, whose band, Brams, became popular in the 1990s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these colleagues", ensure that the context clearly identifies which specific colleagues you are referring to. Avoid ambiguity by providing names or further description if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "these colleagues" without a clear antecedent. If the colleagues haven't been previously mentioned or aren't easily identifiable, the phrase can be confusing. Specify who you are talking about to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these colleagues" functions as a determiner + noun construction. "These" specifies a particular group of colleagues, previously mentioned or easily identifiable. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase acts as the subject of a sentence or is part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these colleagues" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a specific, identifiable group of coworkers. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts like news, scientific publications, and business communications. For clarity, ensure that the referent is clear, and consider alternatives like "the aforementioned coworkers" or "the team in question" for formal settings. The phrase's neutral register makes it versatile for various writing styles, with a strong presence in news and scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned coworkers

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes that the individuals were previously mentioned.

the team in question

This alternative focuses on the specific group of people working together on a particular project or issue.

our fellow team members

This alternative emphasizes the shared membership within a team.

the involved personnel

This alternative is more formal and general, referring to the people involved in a specific task or situation.

said coworkers

This is a more formal, legalistic way to refer to coworkers previously mentioned in a document.

the group of associates

This alternative is a broader term for people who work together, not necessarily in the same company.

our workmates

This alternative is a more informal way to refer to people you work with.

the people in the office

This alternative is a general reference to individuals within the same workplace environment.

the staff members

This alternative is a general term for people employed in an organization.

the personnel involved

This alternative emphasizes the specific individuals who are participating in a specific task.

FAQs

How do I use "these colleagues" in a sentence?

Use "these colleagues" to refer to a specific group of coworkers or associates already mentioned or easily identifiable in the context. For example, "These colleagues have worked tirelessly on this project."

What can I say instead of "these colleagues"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "the aforementioned coworkers", "the team in question", or "our fellow team members".

Is it appropriate to use "these colleagues" in formal writing?

Yes, "these colleagues" is appropriate for formal writing as long as the reference is clear. In very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "the aforementioned coworkers" or "the involved personnel" for a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "these colleagues" and "those colleagues"?

"These colleagues" typically refers to colleagues who are present or immediately relevant, while "those colleagues" refers to colleagues who are more distant or less immediately relevant. The distinction depends on context and proximity, either physical or conceptual.