work directly with

USAGE SUMMARY

"work directly with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize working closely with someone—for example, when talking about a job position that would involve working one-on-one with a client or customer. For example: "This role requires you to work directly with our customers to provide technical support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

& to work directly with him.

The New Yorker

We work directly with farmers.

The New York Times

Evoware also work directly with seaweed growers.

The Guardian

Undergraduates will work directly with Professor Critcher.

University of California, Berkeley

Students did not work directly with scribes.

Stanford University

Some students will work directly with families, repairing their homes.

The New York Times

Do they work directly with local partner organisations?

Independent

I also wanted to work directly with clients.

Harvard University

Those who work directly with Jeff regard and protect him as they would a child.

The New York Times

"In my community, there is a group of neurologists who work directly with lawyers," Wheeler said.

The New Yorker

Besides his work directly with troubled youths, he was active in child welfare worldwide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work directly with" when emphasizing a close, hands-on relationship or collaboration, ensuring clarity and directness in communication.

Common error

Avoid using "work directly with" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives such as "collaborate closely with" or "liaise directly with" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work directly with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a direct and immediate working relationship. It emphasizes the absence of intermediaries in the interaction, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work directly with" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies a close and immediate working relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for many contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific domains, underlining its versatility and clarity. When using the phrase, the emphasis should be on direct communication and hands-on collaboration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collaborate closely with

Focuses on the cooperative aspect of working together, emphasizing mutual contribution.

liaise directly with

Highlights the communication and coordination aspect, suggesting a formal connection.

engage directly with

Emphasizes involvement and interaction, suggesting a more active role.

interact closely with

Stresses the personal contact and communication involved in the working relationship.

deal directly with

Implies handling matters and tasks related to someone or something without intermediaries.

coordinate closely with

Highlights the aspect of aligning efforts and activities with someone.

interface directly with

Focuses on serving as a point of contact or interaction between different entities.

be in direct contact with

Emphasizes maintaining a regular and immediate line of communication.

have direct dealings with

Highlights the transactional or business-related interactions.

attend to personally

Highlights the individual's responsibility in handling the task or interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "work directly with" in a sentence?

You can use "work directly with" to indicate a close, hands-on working relationship. For example, "Our engineers "work directly with" utility customers to design custom made products".

What are some alternatives to "work directly with"?

You can use alternatives like "collaborate closely with", "liaise directly with", or "engage directly with", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "work directly with" in formal writing?

While "work directly with" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "collaborate closely with" or "coordinate closely with" in formal contexts for a more professional tone.

What does it mean to "work directly with" someone?

To "work directly with" someone means to have a close, hands-on working relationship, often involving frequent communication and collaboration. It implies a lack of intermediaries.