working separately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working separately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups who are performing tasks independently rather than collaboratively. Example: "The team decided to split up, with each member working separately to complete their assigned tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Have you ever considered working separately?

The Guardian - Film

Several airlines have been working separately on such systems.

The New York Times

The two, working separately, came up with the same conclusion.

The New York Times

It is the opposite of working separately in competition.

Harvard University

Eventually, two scholars, working separately in Britain and in France, deciphered the hieroglyphics.

The New York Times - Science

But, working separately, they had no power to break the company's grip.

The New Yorker

"There's a particular spirit among these artists of working together yet working separately".

The Guardian - Arts

Even when working separately in different rooms they came up with similar ideas.

The Guardian - Arts

I dislike rushing students but with several groups working separately, we need to have clear deadlines.

The Guardian

Small campaign groups working separately are just too easy to pick off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She and the Duke of Cambridge spent Valentine's Day working separately- Prince William has been helping shift sandbags in flood-hit Berkshire.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working separately", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the separation, such as to increase efficiency, avoid conflicts, or explore different approaches.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "working separately" always implies a complete lack of communication. Even when individuals work independently, occasional check-ins and information sharing can be beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working separately" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe how an action is performed. It indicates the manner in which individuals or groups undertake tasks, highlighting their independence and lack of direct collaboration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working separately" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe independent work efforts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While semantically similar to phrases like "operating independently" or "functioning autonomously", it's crucial to clarify why individuals are "working separately" to ensure clarity. Avoid the assumption that independent work means zero communication; occasional coordination can still be beneficial. Remember that while "working separately" emphasizes autonomy, collaboration may sometimes yield better results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating independently

Emphasizes autonomy and lack of collaboration in operations.

functioning autonomously

Highlights self-governance and independence in how tasks are executed.

acting alone

Focuses on the solitary nature of the action, without assistance.

performing solo

Implies a singular effort, often in a task typically done in groups.

undertaking individually

Stresses the personal responsibility and effort in completing the task.

going it alone

Suggests a deliberate choice to work without support or partnership.

working in isolation

Highlights the lack of interaction or communication with others.

pursuing independently

Emphasizes the self-directed nature of the activity or goal.

conducting singly

Focuses on the uniqueness and individuality of the effort.

handling single-handedly

Implies managing a task or situation without any help from others.

FAQs

How to use "working separately" in a sentence?

You can use "working separately" to describe situations where individuals or groups are performing tasks independently. For example: "The scientists were "working separately" on different aspects of the project."

What can I say instead of "working separately"?

Alternatives include "operating independently", "functioning autonomously", or "acting alone", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "working separately" and "working independently" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the nuances you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "working separately" and "collaborating"?

"Working separately" implies individual effort and autonomy, while "collaborating" involves joint effort and shared responsibility. They represent opposite approaches to task completion.