work separately

USAGE SUMMARY

"work separately" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when speaking or writing about two people or groups working on different tasks that are part of a larger project. For example, "The team decided to work separately on the different components of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

More so than at independence, it is lamented, the different races learn in separate schools, eat separately, work separately and socialise separately.

The Economist

Security and identity are clearly closely linked problems, yet the groups tend to work separately inside large companies — and the network folks are a separate group altogether.

TechCrunch

We work separately at first.

The New York Times - Books

We had accomplished a monumental work – separately.

The Guardian - Arts

They begin to work separately, and Arthur achieves a lonely success in play after play.

The New Yorker

But now those who look for faults and those who repair them work separately.

The Guardian

"They work on the human body and they work separately from it," said LadyVaizey.

The New York Times

"When I designed the collection, I wanted it all to work separately," explains Johansson.

Independent

But Stéphane Kandler's All4One continues to work separately with Olivier de Kersauson.

Independent

Needing no such cheap tricks to plunge the reader into Shelley's overheated world, Spark treats her life and work separately.

The Guardian - Books

It is difficult to examine Mr. Slimane's photo work separately from his reign atop the world of men's fashion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work separately" to clearly indicate that individuals or groups are performing tasks on their own, without direct collaboration, especially when those tasks contribute to a larger goal.

Common error

Be mindful that "work separately" doesn't always mean a complete lack of communication. Teams can "work separately" on different components of a project while still coordinating efforts and sharing information periodically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work separately" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe how tasks are divided or how individuals or groups operate in relation to each other. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to specify the method of performing different activities or jobs, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work separately" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the independent performance of tasks by individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase adheres to standard English grammar. Ludwig's examples show that it appears frequently in diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Science, suggesting broad applicability. While it doesn't imply isolation, it clarifies a lack of direct collaboration. Related phrases include "operate independently" and "function autonomously", offering nuanced alternatives. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the level of communication and coordination maintained despite the independent workflow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work in isolation

Indicates a lack of collaboration or communication during work.

operate independently

Focuses on the autonomy of operation, rather than specifically the act of working.

act individually

Stresses the individual agency and decision-making in actions.

execute independently

Highlights the autonomous execution of a plan or project.

each work solo

Implies a deliberate choice to avoid collaboration and emphasizes individual contribution.

function autonomously

Emphasizes self-governance and independent functioning, often in a technical or organizational sense.

pursue individual efforts

Stresses the personal nature of the endeavor.

perform in isolation

Highlights the lack of interaction during the performance of a task.

undertake tasks alone

Focuses on performing specific tasks without assistance.

handle separately

Emphasizes the distinct treatment or management of different items or issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "work separately" to describe individuals or groups performing tasks independently. For example, "The designers and developers "work separately" on different parts of the website".

What does "work separately" mean?

"Work separately" means performing tasks or activities independently, without direct collaboration or interaction. It implies that each individual or group is responsible for their own work.

Which is correct, "work separately" or "working separately"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Work separately" is often used as an infinitive or imperative, while "working separately" is a gerund or present participle. The choice depends on the sentence structure and intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "work separately"?

You can use alternatives like "operate independently", "function autonomously", or "work in isolation depending on the context.