work in isolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work in isolation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to working alone or independently without collaboration or assistance from others. Example: "The company's policy of having employees work in isolation has been met with mixed reactions from the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You cannot work in isolation".

The New York Times

They don't work in isolation.

Cornell University

JT Amref does not work in isolation.

The Guardian

A PSHE scheme must cannot work in isolation, says Boyd.

The Guardian

But the state's composers do not work in isolation.

The New York Times

Even on social media museums often work in isolation.

The Guardian

It's not going to end if we work in isolation.

The Guardian

But innovators and entrepreneurs do not work in isolation.

The Washington Post

The traps we've reviewed can all work in isolation.

Harvard Business Review

"Most of them work in isolation," she said.

Stanford University

Consultants do not work in isolation, so this means a radical shift in how teams work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing team dynamics or project management, clarify whether "work in isolation" is a deliberate strategy or an unintended consequence. For instance, "While certain tasks require focused effort and benefit from individuals who "work in isolation", effective communication remains crucial for overall project success."

Common error

Be mindful that "work in isolation" can have negative connotations, implying a lack of collaboration or communication. To mitigate this, explicitly state the purpose and benefits of working independently in your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work in isolation" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which someone performs their job or conducts research. Ludwig shows examples across diverse fields, demonstrating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work in isolation" is a common expression used to describe situations where individuals operate independently, without much interaction with others. As Ludwig shows, this can be observed across various fields like news, academia, and science. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to consider the context, as the phrase can carry both positive and negative connotations. For instance, it can denote focused, individual effort, but also a lack of collaboration. Therefore, clarity and precision are crucial when using "work in isolation" to avoid ambiguity and ensure the intended message is effectively communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work by oneself

Simply indicates working alone, without specifying the context or implications.

work autonomously

Emphasizes the self-reliance and independence in one's work.

operate independently

Focuses on the autonomy of the operation, rather than the lack of interaction.

function autonomously

Emphasizes self-governance and the ability to work without external control.

perform solo

Highlights the individual nature of the performance or task.

work separately

Suggests a division of labor where individuals contribute without direct collaboration.

labor individually

Stresses the personal effort involved in the work process.

undertake single-handedly

Conveys the idea of accomplishing something alone, often implying a challenging task.

pursue independently

Highlights the self-directed nature of the pursuit or endeavor.

fly solo

An idiomatic expression indicating independence and lack of support.

FAQs

What are the benefits of allowing employees to "work in isolation"?

When implemented thoughtfully, letting employees "work in isolation" can foster deep focus, accelerate individual task completion, and reduce distractions.

When is it detrimental for team members to "work in isolation"?

It can be detrimental when it hinders communication, prevents knowledge sharing, or creates silos within an organization.

What can I say instead of "work in isolation"?

You can use alternatives like "operate independently", "work autonomously", or "perform solo" depending on the context.

How can companies prevent negative consequences when employees "work in isolation"?

Companies can mitigate negative effects by implementing regular check-ins, encouraging cross-departmental communication, and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing despite individual work styles.