unison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unison" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where people or things are doing something together at the same time or in harmony. Example: "The choir sang in unison, creating a beautiful and powerful sound that filled the auditorium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The message this year seems to be "We've tried everything and we've failed, so here's something that sounds like a million ragtime-era dentist drills going off in unison.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A young woman with a voice like a lark had the audience singing and swaying in unison (the lyrics of the song chorus: "Say 'no' to sodomy. No No No No No! No No No No No

The Guardian

There have been many a time when I involuntarily started doing the "vibe" thing – you know, that awkward head-bopping, neck-jutting thing that overly enthusiastic record execs all do in unison at music meetings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And in no way are these rhythms presented discreetly – on the contrary, they are frequently hammered out in unison by the gigantic orchestra that the work employs.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, one of the most thrilling aspects of a good performance, even without choreography, is how it looks: few things on a concert platform can rival the display of so many musicians executing such jagged and unpredictable rhythmical shapes in perfect unison.

The Guardian - Music

BOWING in unison before cameras and customers, the heads of three big South Korean credit-card firms KB Kookmin Card, Lotte Card and NH Nonghyup Card apologised, then resigned, on January 20th.

The Economist

Yelling, the children jab their fists in unison at imagined enemies.The rise of nationalism in an increasingly powerful China worries many foreigners.

The Economist

The recovery has resembled third-world traffic, where juggernauts and rickshaws, cars and cycles ply the same lanes at different speeds, often getting in each other's way.But for the past month or two, this traffic has slowed in unison.

The Economist

The return to the motherland, sang the official Chinese press in unison, was going wonderfully smoothly.

The Economist

One day, perhaps, the serried ranks of Bradford fans will include lots more hijab-wearing women (that being the standard female attire in certain parts of the city) chanting enjoyable insults to rival cities and teams, in unison with rowdy men of all persuasions.Or take a more current example, again from northern England.

The Economist

Hamas has struggled to suppress jihadist extremism in Gaza while at the same time exalting the right of its own people to fight Israel.Hamas's prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, led prayers in the road outside Gaza City's Egyptian consulate, with half his cabinet and hundreds of others prostrating themselves in unison.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unison" to describe actions, sounds, or opinions that are perfectly synchronized or in complete agreement. This can add emphasis to the unified nature of the event or sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "unison" to describe actions that are merely similar but not perfectly synchronized. "Unison" implies a higher degree of coordination than simple similarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unison" is as a noun, referring to the state of being together, in harmony, or at the same time. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe synchronized actions or sounds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unison" is a versatile noun used to describe synchronized actions, harmonious sounds, and unified agreements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While "unison" is generally neutral, it is important to reserve it for situations involving genuine synchronization rather than mere similarity. When a more general term is needed, alternatives such as "harmony", "agreement", or "together" may be more suitable. By understanding the nuances and contexts where "unison" is appropriate, writers can effectively convey the intended meaning and enhance their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as one

Suggests a unified entity acting or feeling together.

in synchronization

Highlights the coordinated timing and alignment of actions.

in perfect harmony

Highlights the harmonious aspect of being together or synchronized.

in step

Emphasizes coordinated progress or action.

in complete accord

Emphasizes full agreement and harmony in feeling, opinion, or action.

with one voice

Indicates collective expression of a shared opinion or sentiment.

in agreement

Stresses the alignment of opinions or decisions among individuals or groups.

in concert

Implies a coordinated effort or action towards a common goal.

in lockstep

Implies a very rigid and controlled form of agreement or movement.

simultaneously

Focuses on the timing of the actions occurring at the same time.

FAQs

How to use "unison" in a sentence?

You can use "unison" to describe actions happening simultaneously, or voices singing the same notes. For example, "The dancers moved in perfect unison" or "The choir sang in unison, creating a powerful sound".

What can I say instead of "unison"?

You can use alternatives like "harmony", "agreement", or phrases like "at the same time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in unison with"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say "in unison with" to indicate that something is happening together or in coordination with something else. For example, "The band played in unison with the orchestra".

What's the difference between "unison" and "unity"?

"Unison" refers to things happening simultaneously or in perfect agreement, especially in music or movement. "Unity" refers to the state of being united or joined as a whole, focusing more on togetherness or cohesion.