working separately on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working separately on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing individuals or groups who are engaged in tasks or projects independently from one another. Example: "The team members are working separately on their assigned tasks to ensure efficiency and meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Each role was served by two separate offices, each working separately on humanitarian and development coordination, each with separate reporting lines to the UN in New York; development to UN Doco, humanitarian to UN Ocha.

The Guardian

Several airlines have been working separately on such systems.

The New York Times

We are also working separately on a necessary structural solution for the British Steel pension scheme fund".

The Guardian - Business

Switzerland is working separately on a tax deal with the European Union, of which it is not a member.

The New York Times

But the commission is working separately on a proposal addressing them, which people close to the commission said might be announced next month.

The New York Times

Tata Steel says it is "working separately on a necessary structural solution" for the scheme, but critics claim the company has not yet revealed a solution that tackles the liabilities behind it.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Communication was breaking down as teams worked separately on projects.

The Economist

We worked separately on cutting the two plays and then met to compare notes.

The Guardian

Watson, Crick and Franklin work separately on the same problem with entirely different approaches, curling around each other towards a solution.

The Guardian

In the end, they decided to work separately on a single object: Hopton photographed nasturtiums in a vase, which Hume used as inspiration for three paintings.

The Guardian - Arts

Even when we try to work separately on a project, it ends up being a collaboration," she told the Bookseller's FutureBook website.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working separately on", ensure that it is clear who or what is performing the action independently. Providing context helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "working separately on" implies a complete lack of communication or coordination. Even when individuals or teams work independently, there may still be occasional check-ins or shared goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working separately on" typically functions as a participial phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is engaged in an action independently. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working separately on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes independent engagement in different tasks or projects. Ludwig confirms its validity and showcases its use in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, and scientific domains. While emphasizing independence, it doesn't necessarily preclude all communication or coordination. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is working independently and avoid assuming a complete lack of interaction between parties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working independently on

Highlights the lack of collaboration or assistance from others.

working alone on

Focuses on the solitary aspect of the work, without any partners or collaborators.

working autonomously on

Emphasizes independence and self-governance in the work being done.

working solo on

Informal way of emphasizing that one is carrying out a task individually.

pursuing independently

Highlights the independent nature of the undertaking or project.

addressing individually

Focuses on handling each element of a project on its own.

tackling in isolation

Emphasizes the complete absence of collaboration, potentially highlighting a challenge.

handling discretely

Implies dealing with something quietly and privately, often to avoid attention.

operating distinctly

Emphasizes the difference in operations or methods used in the process.

undertaking separately

A formal way of expressing that activities are carried out independently.

FAQs

How can I use "working separately on" in a sentence?

You can use "working separately on" to describe individuals or teams engaged in different aspects of a larger project, such as "The team members are /s/working+separately+on their assigned tasks to meet the project deadline".

What are some alternatives to "working separately on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "working independently on", "working autonomously on", or "working alone on", each emphasizing a different nuance of independent work.

Is it correct to say "worked separately on" instead of "working separately on"?

Yes, "worked separately on" is the past tense form and is appropriate when describing actions completed in the past. "Working separately on" is used for ongoing or present activities.

What does "working separately on" imply about collaboration?

"Working separately on" suggests a degree of independence but doesn't necessarily exclude all collaboration. Individuals may still share information or align their efforts without directly working together on the same task.