Cool MateCollaboration vs Cooperation vs Teamwork
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Collaboration
Cooperation
Teamwork
| Collaboration | Cooperation | Teamwork | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kəʊˈɒpəreɪʃən//🇺🇸 //koʊˈɑːpəreɪʃən// | 🇬🇧 //ˈtiːm.wɜːk//🇺🇸 //ˈtiːm.wɜrk// |
| Meaning | Working together with others to achieve something. | Working together with others for a common goal. | Working together in a group to achieve a goal. |
| Example | Collaboration between the two departments led to innovative solutions. | The success of the project relied on the cooperation of all team members. | Success in the project depended on effective teamwork. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (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 | encourage teamwork, demonstrate teamwork, promote teamwork, effective teamwork, teamwork skills |
| Antonyms | isolation, division, separation | competition, conflict, opposition | individualism, solitude, self-reliance |
| 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. | Confusing with 'teamworking', which is less common., Using in singular forms like 'teamwork is important' incorrectly., Forgetting to pair with verbs like 'demonstrate' or 'encourage'. |
| 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. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Common in workplaces and educational settings. Avoid using in contexts that emphasize individual achievement. |
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Frequently asked questions: Collaboration vs Cooperation vs Teamwork
What's the difference between Collaboration, Cooperation, and Teamwork?
Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve something. Cooperation: Working together with others for a common goal. Teamwork: Working together in a group to achieve a 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. Teamwork: Success in the project depended on effective teamwork.
Can I use Collaboration, Cooperation, and Teamwork interchangeably?
Not always. Collaboration, Cooperation, and Teamwork 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.