we function as a team

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we function as a team" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe collaboration and teamwork in various contexts, such as in a workplace or group project. For example, "In our department, we function as a team to achieve our goals." Alternative expressions include "we work together as a team" and "we operate as a unit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then I usually say, here's how we function as a team, and here are some of the things that are important to know about the way we work together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Common sentiments included that the whole group session contributed to a process of building toward being, or functioning as, a team.

BMC Family Practice

In the meantime they were not sufficiently able to come together as a group and say " Ok what did we think about [that performance feedback] and I don't think we are there, to reflect on that and say how are we functioning as a team, we aren't enough of a team to reflect on that" (social worker 1).

BMC Family Practice

I was astonished to realize that we could function as a team, learn new skills, and work through danger without cursing, fear, intimidation and anger.

HuffPost

One pharmacist articulated his new role as follows: "If there is a pharmacy that renders a service we need to support it…build capacity at CHC [community health centre] level so they can function as a team" (M2P 175).

Human Resources for Health

Either way they will not function as a team.

Harvard Business Review

One must also remember that author teams function as a team; an individual's views are certainly not going to overwhelm everyone else in the team.

The Economist

If corporations want dedicated employees who function as a team, they should provide a working environment conducive to such behavior, with appropriate pay and benefits.

The New York Times

One big question will be whether the current team in Afghanistan, which includes Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and special representative Richard Holbrooke, can continue to function as a team.

The Washington Post

Students will work in a single group that will function as a team throughout the research, design, fabrication and construction of the pavilion.

Columbia University

Specifically, leadership is a process of influence that enables a group of people to function as a team to achieve more than an individual or a badly led group.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in professional settings or performance reviews to demonstrate organizational maturity.

Common error

Avoid using "we function like a team" if you are describing an established group. Using "as" correctly identifies the role your group fills, whereas "like" suggests you are merely imitating team behavior without being one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we function as a team" acts as a declarative clause consisting of the plural subject "we", the intransitive verb "function" and a prepositional phrase "as a team" functioning as a predicative adjunct. In the data provided by Ludwig, it serves to assert the operational status of a group.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we function as a team" is a highly effective way to communicate unity and operational success. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in professional spheres. While exact matches in the search database appear less frequently than generalized variations like "functioning as a team", the phrase itself is a staple in discourse surrounding leadership and collaboration. Whether used in a corporate setting to describe middle management or in scientific research to explain how proteins interact, it consistently conveys a sense of synchronized purpose. Writers should choose this expression when they want to highlight the process and interdependence of a group rather than simply their shared identity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we work as a team

A more common and slightly less formal version of the query.

we operate as a unit

Emphasizes the singular, cohesive nature of the group's actions.

we perform as a group

A neutral alternative focusing on the output or performance.

we synergize our efforts

Professional jargon emphasizing that the combined effect is greater than individual parts.

we collaborate effectively

Focuses on the quality and success of the cooperation.

we act in concert

Highly formal, suggesting synchronized and planned actions.

we pull together

An idiomatic expression emphasizing collective effort, especially during challenges.

we join forces

Suggests the act of coming together to work on a specific task.

we move in lockstep

Suggests perfect synchronization, sometimes with a more rigid connotation.

we maintain a cohesive dynamic

More analytical and psychological in tone.

FAQs

How do I use "we function as a team" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a professional relationship, such as: "Despite our different backgrounds, <a href="/s/we+function+as+a+team" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we function as a team to meet our deadlines."

What is the difference between "we function as a team" and "we work together"?

While <a href="/s/we+work+together" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we work together is more common, "we function as a team" implies a higher level of integration and shared purpose.

Is "we function as a team" formal?

Yes, it is considered a professional and neutral phrase suitable for business reports, academic papers and news articles.

What can I say instead of "we function as a team"?

Depending on the context, you could use <a href="/s/we+operate+as+a+unit" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we operate as a unit, <a href="/s/we+work+as+a+team" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we work as a team or <a href="/s/we+collaborate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we collaborate.