work closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"work closely" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more people or teams working together in a collaborative or coordinated manner, such as in a business or academic setting. For example, "The two teams agreed to work closely together to meet the project's deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The two work closely together.

The Economist

And we'll work closely together".

The New Yorker

Researchers, armies, even spies work closely together.

The Economist

He will also work closely with Msgr.

The New York Times

(I work closely with film critics).

The New York Times

"We work closely with the Iraqi government.

The Guardian

Holbrooke would work closely with him.

The New Yorker

Rescue groups usually work closely with shelters.

The New York Times

We often work closely with a partner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The two will work closely together.

The Guardian - Business

They work closely with leaders of internal product teams.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing teamwork, use "work closely" to convey a sense of collaboration and coordination. For example, "The design and marketing teams need to "work closely" to ensure a successful product launch."

Common error

While "work closely" implies a good working relationship, be specific about the nature of the collaboration. Instead of just saying "They "work closely", describe the frequency, type, and purpose of their interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work closely" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the manner in which work is performed. It modifies a verb, describing how individuals or groups collaborate. As seen in Ludwig AI, the phrase is often used to describe relationships within professional settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work closely" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe collaboration and coordination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from professional to academic. The examples show it's frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To enhance clarity, avoid vagueness by specifying the nature of the collaboration. Consider alternatives like "collaborate intensely" or "coordinate seamlessly" to add nuance. Remember to always use "work closely with" and not "work close with". The phrase's wide acceptance and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for describing teamwork.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collaborate intensely

Emphasizes a strong and active collaborative effort, suggesting a deeper level of engagement than "work closely".

cooperate intimately

Suggests a close and personal level of cooperation, possibly implying a degree of trust beyond typical professional collaboration.

liaise effectively

Focuses on communication and coordination between parties, highlighting the efficiency of their interaction.

partner synergistically

Implies a partnership that produces a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. More business-oriented.

coordinate seamlessly

Highlights the smoothness and apparent effortlessness of the coordination process.

join forces

A more informal way of expressing collaboration, often used to indicate a unified effort towards a common goal.

unite efforts

Emphasizes the unification of different actions or activities towards achieving a shared objective.

act in concert

Suggests a harmonious and coordinated action, often used in more formal or official contexts.

pull together

An informal phrase that conveys the idea of people working jointly to overcome challenges or achieve a common goal.

work hand in glove

Suggests a very close and harmonious working relationship, implying a high degree of coordination and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "work closely" in a sentence?

You can use "work closely" to describe a collaborative effort. For instance, "The engineers and architects "work closely" on the project to ensure structural integrity."

What's the difference between "work closely" and "collaborate"?

"Work closely" implies a coordinated effort, while "collaborate" suggests a more active and joint participation. Although similar, "collaborate" may indicate a more equal distribution of work and ideas.

Which is correct, "work closely with" or "work close with"?

"Work closely with" is the correct phrase. The adverb "closely" modifies the verb "work", indicating the manner in which the work is done. "Work close with" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "work closely"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "collaborate intensely", "cooperate intimately", or "coordinate seamlessly".