to join forces

USAGE SUMMARY

"to join forces" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "to join forces" when speaking about two or more people or groups working together towards a common goal. Example sentence: The two companies agreed to join forces in order to launch a new product.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Agreeing to join forces, both secured it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We are thrilled to join forces with On Assignment.

The New York Times

"I don't want to join forces with them.

The New York Times - Sports

Chel and Dr. Stanton will have to join forces.

The New York Times - Books

"The obvious next step was to join forces".

The New York Times

They soon realized that it made sense to join forces.

The New Yorker

With Kidd missing, Mourning and Martin had to join forces.

The New York Times - Sports

After the show, Flavin's son, Stephen, the estate's executor, decided to join forces with Zwirner.

The New Yorker

The president's two main opponents failed to join forces in last-minute talks over Christmas.

The Economist

Both Intesa and Sanpaolo managed to outmanoeuvre big, predatory shareholders to join forces.

The Economist

But rather than closing, schools, particularly small ones, are likely to join forces.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to join forces" when you want to emphasize a strategic alliance or collaboration between two or more entities to achieve a specific, often challenging, goal.

Common error

Avoid using "to join forces" when the collaboration is minor or informal. Opt for phrases like "to work together" or "to help each other" in such cases to accurately reflect the level of strategic alignment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to join forces" typically functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It describes the reason why entities are combining their efforts, similar to examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

19%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to join forces" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a strategic alliance or collaboration between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, with a leaning toward professional and neutral registers. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, emphasize the intentional and strategic nature of the collaboration. Consider using alternatives like "to collaborate" or "to form an alliance" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to combine efforts

This suggests a merging of resources and energy to achieve a shared objective.

to form an alliance

This phrase indicates a strategic union, typically for protection or advancement of common interests.

to collaborate

This term emphasizes a cooperative effort toward a shared goal, often in creative or intellectual endeavors.

to team up

This phrase suggests a more informal and tactical alliance, often for a specific task or challenge.

to partner

This implies a formal agreement between two or more parties for mutual benefit, often in business or strategic contexts.

to work together

This is a general term for cooperative activity, lacking the strategic implication of "to join forces".

to cooperate

This term highlights the act of working jointly, often implying a willingness to compromise and coordinate.

to unify

This indicates the process of becoming one, often involving the merging of separate entities into a single unit.

to merge

This suggests a complete blending of two or more entities, typically in a business or organizational context.

to consolidate

This implies a strengthening of power or resources through combination, often in political or economic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "to join forces" in a sentence?

You can use "to join forces" to describe entities combining their resources for a common objective. For example, "The two companies decided "to join forces" to develop the new technology".

What are some alternatives to "to join forces"?

Alternatives include "to collaborate", "to team up", or "to form an alliance", depending on the context and formality.

Is "to join forces" formal or informal?

"To join forces" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives might be more suitable depending on the specific situation. Consider "to partner" in formal setting.

What's the difference between "to join forces" and "to work together"?

"To join forces" implies a more strategic and coordinated effort than "to work together", suggesting a formal agreement or alliance. In the other hand "to work together" is a general term.