working in tandem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working in tandem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more entities that are collaborating or functioning together effectively. Example: "The marketing and sales teams are working in tandem to achieve the company's goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

sputtering are suitable for working in tandem with tungsten oxide in a practical electrochromic device.

Electrochimica Acta

In addition, there are British special operations troops working in tandem with the Americans.

The New York Times

Officials see the bid for park status working in tandem with historic rehabilitation.

The New York Times

Mr. Morris, working in tandem with the drummer Luther Gray, isn't calling extra attention to himself.

The New York Times

His legs churn at a frightening speed, twin jackhammers working in tandem to punish and propel.

The New York Times - Sports

Occasionally, Blake's music and the vocals are fairly obviously working in tandem towards a common goal.

The Guardian - Music

It was shabiha, working in tandem with Army units, who carried out the Houla massacre.

The New Yorker

Maybe he was down in London trying to sell it – he and Marelize working in tandem.

The Guardian - Books

He accused some humanitarian groups of working in tandem with the guerrillas.

The New York Times

This is the first major example of McCain and the White House working in tandem.

The Guardian

But only Washington could have kept such adver saries working in tandem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working in tandem" to describe scenarios where two or more entities are intentionally coordinating their actions to achieve a shared goal efficiently. This highlights the synergy and mutual benefit of their collaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "working in tandem" when entities are merely coexisting or operating independently in the same space. This phrase implies a deliberate and synchronized effort, not just parallel existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working in tandem" functions as a participial phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb. It describes how an action is performed, emphasizing the coordinated and simultaneous nature of the effort. As seen in Ludwig, it highlights collaboration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working in tandem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe coordinated and simultaneous actions between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a sense of synergy and mutual effectiveness. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. For alternative expressions, consider using ""collaborating closely"" or ""operating jointly"" to achieve similar communicative goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collaborating closely

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect more directly than "working in tandem".

cooperating effectively

Highlights the positive outcome of cooperation.

operating jointly

Suggests a more formal or structured partnership.

functioning together

Focuses on the combined action or operation.

acting in concert

Implies a coordinated and harmonious effort.

teaming up

Indicates joining forces for a specific purpose, less formal.

partnering strategically

Highlights a deliberate and planned alliance.

coordinating efforts

Emphasizes the act of aligning actions.

aligning forces

Suggests bringing different elements into a unified direction.

pooling resources

Highlights sharing assets to achieve a common goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "working in tandem" to describe situations where two or more entities are collaborating effectively. For instance, "The marketing and sales teams are "working in tandem" to boost sales".

What are some alternatives to "working in tandem"?

Alternatives include "collaborating closely", "cooperating effectively", or "operating jointly", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "working in tandem" in formal writing?

Yes, "working in tandem" is appropriate for formal writing. It's frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports, demonstrating its suitability for professional contexts.

What is the difference between "working in tandem" and "working together"?

"Working together" is a general term for any form of cooperation. "Working in tandem" implies a more coordinated and synchronized effort, where the entities are aligned in their actions to achieve a specific outcome.