they worked together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they worked together" is correct and can be used in written English.
It describes a situation in which two or more people cooperate or collaborate in order to accomplish a task or goal. Example: "Despite their different backgrounds, the team members worked together seamlessly to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Afterward, they worked together".

The New York Times - Arts

Neighbours thrived if they worked together.

The Economist

They worked together in Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

The way they worked together is amazing.

The New York Times - Arts

They worked together just twice more.

The Guardian - Film

It would be much better if they worked together.

The Economist

They worked together on the same cadaver for several weeks".

The New Yorker

They worked together until Mr. Compton died in 1955.

The New York Times - Arts

They worked together until the show's finale, in 2005.

The New Yorker

They worked together on aspects of the financial reform bill.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As far as I know, there was no CEO-type relationship-they worked together.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "they collaborated" or "they cooperated" to add nuance or formality depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is working together. Instead of "The project was worked on by them", use the active voice: "They worked together on the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they worked together" functions as a concise way to describe a collaborative effort between two or more entities. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's a straightforward expression indicating teamwork and cooperation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

18%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they worked together" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe collaboration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news, wikis, and scientific publications. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "they collaborated" might be preferable in academic or professional settings. Remember to use the active voice to clearly indicate who is working together, and consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing synonyms to ensure your writing is precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they collaborated

Focuses on the joint effort and mutual contribution in a more formal context.

they combined their efforts

Directly points to the merging of individual efforts for a shared outcome.

they cooperated

Highlights the willingness to work together, often implying a shared goal.

they teamed up

Suggests the formation of a team for a specific purpose.

they coordinated

Stresses the organized and synchronized nature of their work.

they joined forces

Emphasizes the combined power and resources resulting from their collaboration.

they partnered

Suggests a formal or informal alliance to work towards a goal.

they acted in concert

Implies a coordinated and harmonious effort, similar to a musical performance.

they pulled together

Highlights the unity and effort to overcome a challenge or achieve a common aim.

they were in cahoots

Implies a secret or collusive agreement to work together, often for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they worked together" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "they collaborated", "they cooperated", or "they coordinated their efforts".

Is it correct to say "they work together" instead of "they worked together"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but "they work together" refers to the present tense, while "they worked together" refers to the past tense. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the action.

What's a more casual way to say "they worked together"?

Informally, you could say "they teamed up", "they joined forces", or "they were in cahoots" (though the last one implies a slightly secretive or mischievous collaboration).

Can "they worked together" imply disagreement or conflict?

While "they worked together" generally implies cooperation, it doesn't exclude the possibility of disagreements. The phrase focuses on the act of collaborating, regardless of the relationship dynamics involved. If the goal is to mention disagreement, consider “"they worked together despite their differences"".