Cool MateSide by side vs Together
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Side by side
Top 2,000 (common)
Together
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most common: Together
| Side by side | Together | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //saɪd baɪ saɪd//🇺🇸 //saɪd baɪ saɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/təˈɡeðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/təˈɡeðər/"]/ |
| Meaning | Next to each other. | In one place or doing something with others. |
| Example | The cars are parked side by side in the garage. | We will work together to complete the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | stand side by side, sit side by side, place side by side, line up side by side, work side by side | come together, work together, stay together, live together |
| Antonyms | - | apart, separately |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'side-by-side' as a compound word., Using it in contexts where separate is implied. | Confused with 'together' vs 'apart'; forgetting the meaning of isolation., Using 'together' where 'alongside' would be more appropriate., Misplacing it in a sentence; it often goes after the verb. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal and formal contexts to describe things that are next to each other. Avoid when discussing unrelated subjects. | Use 'together' when describing people or things being united or in the same location. It's not used in formal writing; instead, 'jointly' may be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: Side by side vs Together
What's the difference between Side by side and Together?
Side by side: Next to each other. Together: In one place or doing something with others.
Which is more common: Side by side and Together?
Together is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Side by side: The cars are parked side by side in the garage. Together: We will work together to complete the project.
Can I use Side by side and Together interchangeably?
Not always. Side by side and Together 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.