Cooperate vs. collaborate: what’s the difference?
The short answer
To cooperate often means to act together or in compliance without necessarily achieving something new as a unified effort. It can imply more basic or routine assistance. To collaborate typically suggests a deeper joint effort where all parties actively contribute to achieving a specific goal or creative outcome.
What they have in common
Both cooperate and collaborate involve working with others towards a common goal or task. They both imply a level of partnership or teamwork.
Examples
cooperate
- The two companies agreed to cooperate on the new project.
- To solve the problem, we must all cooperate and share our resources.
collaborate
- Scientists from around the world collaborated on the research paper.
- The artists decided to collaborate on a new piece for the exhibition.
Which one is more common?
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