working apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups who are functioning separately or independently from one another. Example: "Although we are working apart on this project, I believe our combined efforts will lead to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Now they are again living and working apart much of the time.

The New York Times

At Automattic, even when employees meet in person they use the same tools as when working apart.

Harvard Business Review

This insures our survival: organisms working together can do so much more than organisms working apart or in parallel.

The New Yorker

Distributed work is often characterized by long periods of time working apart, punctuated by face-to-face meetings and site visits.

Stanford University

But in its case, the experts must work together to create new things instead of working apart to perfect established skills.

Harvard Business Review

The widely respected Wally Cardona and Jennifer Lacey have spent the last year working apart, together; they've been collaborating with nondance experts (an opera singer, a salesman, a sculptor, et al).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

What sets the brothers' work apart?

The Guardian

Instead of working together, people tend to work apart.

The Guardian - Money

"It's regrettable when someone decides their differences are so great they have to work apart.

The Washington Post

The women mostly worked apart after an initial residency at Mass MoCA last year to jump-start the project.

The New York Times - Arts

I think the secret is, we've always made an effort to not work apart very often.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where physical presence is limited, use "working apart" to emphasize the separation while acknowledging a common goal. This implies a degree of coordination despite the distance.

Common error

Avoid using "working apart" when the situation involves a complete lack of communication or coordination. The phrase implies some level of connection or shared objective, even if the individuals are physically separated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working apart" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of performing tasks separately, while often implying a shared objective. Ludwig provides examples that showcase how the phrase is used to describe the state of being physically separated while collaborating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working apart" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe situations where individuals or groups are performing tasks separately, often implying a shared objective. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific discussions. While "working apart" suggests physical or operational separation, it usually implies some degree of coordination and a common goal. Be mindful not to confuse it with complete disengagement. Instead of "working apart", consider alternatives like "operating separately" or "collaborating remotely" to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating separately

Focuses on the act of operating in a distinct or disconnected manner.

functioning independently

Highlights the self-reliant and autonomous nature of the work.

collaborating remotely

Emphasizes the use of technology and distance in collaboration.

working in isolation

Focuses on the solitary nature of the work environment.

distributed work

Highlights the spatial distribution of the workforce.

remote teamwork

Highlights how team collaboration is done distantly.

independent work

Focuses on the self-directed and unsupervised nature of the work.

detached collaboration

Highlights how collaboration is done distantly.

separated teamwork

Emphasizes the physical separation of team members.

telecommuting

Highlights how professionals work from a distance, using technology.

FAQs

How can I use "working apart" in a sentence?

You can use "working apart" to describe situations where people are collaborating on a project but are not in the same physical location. For example: "Despite "working apart", the team successfully completed the project on time."

What is the difference between "working apart" and "working together"?

"Working apart" implies a physical or operational separation, while "working together" suggests collaboration in the same space or with close interaction. "Working together" means doing something as a unit. While "working apart" still means achieving a common goal but with separation.

What are some alternatives to "working apart"?

Some alternatives include "operating separately", "functioning independently", or "collaborating remotely", depending on the context.

Is "working apart" grammatically correct?

Yes, "working apart" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe situations where individuals or teams are functioning separately. It's a valid gerund phrase.