Cool MateCollaboration vs Cooperation
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Collaboration
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Cooperation
Top 2,000 (common)
| Collaboration | Cooperation | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kəʊˈɒpəreɪʃən//🇺🇸 //koʊˈɑːpəreɪʃən// |
| Meaning | Working together with others to achieve something. | Working together with others for a common goal. |
| Example | Collaboration between the two departments led to innovative solutions. | The success of the project relied on the cooperation of all team members. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | active, close, effective, degree, foster, in collaboration with, collaboration among, collaboration between, active, close, effective, degree, foster, in collaboration with, collaboration among, collaboration between | international cooperation, mutual cooperation, effective cooperation, cooperation agreement, cooperation between |
| Antonyms | isolation, division, separation | competition, conflict, opposition |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'cooperation' as they have different nuances., Using 'collaboration' with a singular subject, e.g., saying 'a collaboration is...' instead of 'collaborations are...'., Overusing it in informal situations where simpler words like 'teamwork' could be more appropriate. | Confused with 'collaboration' - cooperation involves joint effort, while collaboration emphasizes the act of contributing., Using 'cooperation' with singular verbs - it's often used as a collective noun. |
| Usage notes | Use 'collaboration' in formal or professional contexts, such as teamwork or projects. It's less common in casual conversations. Avoid using it in overly relaxed settings. | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing teamwork or collaboration. |
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Frequently asked questions: Collaboration vs Cooperation
What's the difference between Collaboration and Cooperation?
Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve something. Cooperation: Working together with others for a common goal.
Can you show an example of each?
Collaboration: Collaboration between the two departments led to innovative solutions. Cooperation: The success of the project relied on the cooperation of all team members.
Can I use Collaboration and Cooperation interchangeably?
Not always. Collaboration and Cooperation are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.