working in isolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working in isolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is performing tasks or activities alone, without collaboration or interaction with others. Example: "During the project, I found that working in isolation allowed me to focus better on my tasks without distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're not working in isolation".

The New York Times

And I was working in isolation.

The Guardian - Books

You cannot address those by working in isolation.

The Guardian

Firstly, innovation isn't about geniuses working in isolation.

The Guardian

But public managers are often working in isolation.

The Guardian

There is nothing to be gained by working in isolation.

The Guardian

He was extremely cautious, in part because he had grown accustomed to working in isolation.

The New Yorker

"The days of working in isolation on your computer are mostly gone," said John Lilly, the chief executive of Mozilla.

The New York Times - Tech

Such people, the argument goes, controlled their chosen fields, working in isolation, never needing any creative input from others.

The Guardian - Music

This is not a profession where people should be working in isolation; we all need the support of our colleagues and managers.

The Guardian

After Shipman, safeguards were put in place to stop doctors working in isolation with no checks on the deaths in their care.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize the lack of collaboration or support in a task or situation, use "working in isolation" to highlight the individual's self-reliance.

Common error

While "working in isolation" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repetitively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "operating independently" or "functioning autonomously" to keep your text engaging and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working in isolation" primarily functions as a gerund phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the solitary nature of the work. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working in isolation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes performing tasks without collaboration. According to Ludwig AI, it is deemed correct and appropriate for use in writing. Analysis of the search results reveals that it commonly appears in news and scientific contexts and is used to highlight either the challenges or the focus achieved by such solitary work. While synonyms like "operating independently" exist, "working in isolation" specifically emphasizes the lack of interaction. To avoid overuse, remember to diversify your language and consider the specific context when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing independently

Highlights the self-sufficiency and freedom from external control.

operating independently

Focuses on the autonomy and self-reliance of the work being done.

functioning autonomously

Emphasizes the self-governing aspect of the activity.

laboring solo

Highlights the solitary nature of the work and the individual effort involved.

performing single-handedly

Stresses the lack of assistance from others in completing the task.

undertaking alone

Focuses on the individual's responsibility for the entire endeavor.

acting separately

Highlights the lack of coordination or collaboration with others.

executing in seclusion

Emphasizes the privacy and detachment from society during the work.

carrying out in solitude

Focuses on the peaceful and quiet environment in which the work is done.

pursuing in a vacuum

Emphasizes the lack of external feedback or influence on the work.

FAQs

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

You can use "working in isolation" to describe a situation where someone is performing tasks or activities alone, without collaboration or interaction with others. For example, "The researcher found that "working in isolation" allowed for deeper concentration on the data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "working in isolation"?

You can use alternatives like "operating independently", "functioning autonomously", or "laboring solo" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe someone as "working in isolation"?

Not necessarily. While "working in isolation" can imply a lack of collaboration or support, it can also highlight self-reliance, focus, and deep concentration. The connotation depends heavily on the context.

What's the difference between "working in isolation" and "working independently"?

"Working in isolation" often suggests a complete lack of interaction or support from others, while "working independently" implies autonomy and self-direction, but not necessarily a complete absence of collaboration. You can be working independently as part of a team. However, "working in isolation" assumes that there is no team involved.