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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Respective colleagues
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "respective colleagues" is correct and usable in written English
For example, you might use it in a sentence like this: “We look forward to collaborating with our respective colleagues in the industry to develop new initiatives.”
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
These studies by Keskin, Hilf and their respective colleagues highlight several key aspects that underscore the current limitations of personalized-vaccine therapy, as well as the potential benefits.
Science & Research
The wide support that these initiatives have received from their respective colleagues in the region and in Washington should send a powerful message to the Entergy Corporation that the debate over its beleaguered plant is far from over.
News & Media
The other five team members had been trained by their respective colleagues.
Science
The data entered by the social workers, optometrists, ophthalmologist, and lab technician will be counter checked for any deficiencies by their respective colleagues.
Science
Both Castrén and Busch with their respective colleagues demonstrated the feasibility and safety of NPC in the prehospital cardiac arrest setting [ 17, 18], and Abou-Chebl et al. provided data on brain cooling in brain-injured patients (−1.4°C within one hour) [ 19].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
To help interpret the language behind the diplomatic parlor game represented in the above two so-called "important steps," I called several colleagues who are preeminent scholars in their respective fields.
News & Media
We calculated effect sizes for independent predictors in relation to the magnitude of the standard deviation of the respective patient or colleague score.
Science
Residents spend most of their time in the hospital with their respective junior and senior colleagues.
The planning committee in consultation with their respective professional organizations and colleagues identified faculty members who were interested in becoming PEH faculty champions at their academic institutions [National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) 2002].
We also included these two sets of variables as potential predictors in the respective patient-doctor and colleague-doctor regression models.
Science
A while ago I was chatting with one of my colleagues about our respective defining batches.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
Use "respective colleagues" when you want to clearly indicate that each person or entity has their own specific colleagues being referred to, avoiding ambiguity.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "respective colleagues" when "colleagues" alone is sufficient. For example, instead of saying "They consulted their respective colleagues", simply say "They consulted their colleagues" if all colleagues are being referred to collectively.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "respective colleagues" functions as a noun phrase, specifying that each individual has their own specific set of colleagues. Ludwig examples show usage in science, news, and formal contexts, where precision is important.
Expression frequency: Uncommon
✓ Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Formal & Business
20%
⚠ Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "respective colleagues" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that individuals each have their own specific colleagues, as affirmed by Ludwig. While it appears most frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts, overuse should be avoided in simpler situations. Alternatives include "individual colleagues" or, if the context is clear, simply "colleagues". The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register and is best used when clear distinction is needed. It is a valuable term for precision in professional and academic communication.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
each person's colleagues
Makes explicit the possession or association of colleagues with each individual.
own colleagues
Indicates colleagues that belong to or are associated with each individual.
specific colleagues
Focuses on the unique and distinct colleagues associated with each person.
respective workmates
Uses 'workmates' as a synonym for 'colleagues', implying a professional setting.
colleagues for each
Focuses on the assignment of colleagues to each member of the group.
particular colleagues
Highlights that specific colleagues are being referred to for each person.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "respective colleagues" in a sentence?
You can use "respective colleagues" to indicate that each person has their own specific colleagues. For instance, "The managers met with their respective colleagues to discuss the new strategy."
What does "respective" mean in the context of "respective colleagues"?
In this context, "respective" means belonging or relating separately to each of the people or things mentioned. It emphasizes that each individual has their own set of colleagues being referred to.
Are there alternatives to using "respective colleagues"?
Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "individual colleagues", "each person's colleagues", or simply "colleagues" if the distinction is already clear. Consider rephrasing to use "individual colleagues" or "each person's colleagues" for clarity.
Is it always necessary to use "respective" when referring to colleagues?
No, it's not always necessary. Use "respective" only when it's important to emphasize that each person has their own distinct group of colleagues. If the context already makes this clear, using just "colleagues" is often sufficient.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested