work in combination

USAGE SUMMARY

"work in combination" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that requires multiple parts or steps to be completed successfully, or to signify that two or more things are being used together. For example, "The new workshop teaches participants how to work in combination with modern technology to increase their efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Proteins usually work in combination with other proteins.

MIT Technology Review

Vaccines would have to work in combination with other therapies, bombarding tumors from all sides.

MIT Technology Review

Immunotoxins are too poisonous to use alone against AIDS, but they may work in combination with antiretrovirals, he said.

The New York Times - Science

Days in which none of my clothes work in combination with each other – and I don't even care.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We conclude that negative charge and the membrane-tethered 3B protein work in combination to recruit 3Dpol enzymes.

Nature

Air Engines (AE) are commonly designed to work in combination with internal combustion engines (ICE) due to low energy density.

Energy Procedia

HIV-1-specific antibodies induced by such immunogens may work in combination or synergistically in containing the virus.

Antiviral Research

Recently approved medicines will also be flagged, so doctors can pay special attention to how they work in combination with the other drugs their patients take.

The New York Times

But the doctors think it will work in combination with some other drug - we just have to find out what the magic combination is.

The Guardian - Books

He began to mix ornamental grasses into perennial borders, then began searching for more plants that would work in combination with the grasses.

The New York Times

Roche is working on hepatitis treatments that may work in combination with Ribavarin, which is now sold mainly as part of combinations sold by Schering-Plough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work in combination" to highlight synergy. When individual elements produce a greater outcome when working together, make sure your sentence reflects the benefit of their combined function.

Common error

Avoid using "work in combination" when the components simply coexist without significant interaction. Ensure there is a clear and demonstrable benefit from their combined function, not just a mere presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work in combination" functions as a verb phrase indicating how multiple elements operate together to achieve a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work in combination" is a versatile phrase that signifies a cooperative or synergistic interaction between two or more elements. It is grammatically sound and widely used across varied contexts, notably in scientific, news, and academic domains, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While generally neutral, it can adapt to formal registers, denoting structured or purposeful joint actions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the participating elements and their roles to emphasize the benefits of their combined functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act in concert

Implies a coordinated and harmonious action.

function synergistically

Highlights the synergistic effect, where the combined effect is greater than the sum of individual effects.

coordinate actions

Highlights the coordination required for effective joint work.

operate jointly

Focuses on the joint action or operation of multiple entities.

cooperate closely

Emphasizes the cooperation and closeness of the collaboration.

collaborate effectively

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect and the effectiveness of the collaboration.

integrate efforts

Highlights the integration and alignment of different efforts.

join forces

Suggests combining power or resources for a common goal.

team up

An informal way of saying to work together as a team.

pool resources

Focuses on the combined use of available resources.

FAQs

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

Use "work in combination" to describe situations where two or more things function together to produce a result. For example, "The drugs "work in combination" to alleviate the symptoms."

What are some alternatives to "work in combination"?

Alternatives include "operate jointly", "function synergistically", or "act in concert". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "work in combination" or "works in combination"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "work in combination" for plural subjects (e.g., "These methods work in combination"). Use "works in combination" for singular subjects (e.g., "This method works in combination").

What is the difference between "work in combination" and "working together"?

"Work in combination" often implies a more structured or formal interaction, where each component has a specific role, while "working together" ("working together") is a more general term for collaboration.