One such phrase causes confusion more often than you’d expect: “work alongside you” versus “work alongside with you.” They look similar, but only one belongs in correct, professional English.
If you write emails, websites, proposals, LinkedIn profiles, or marketing copy, this distinction matters. Readers may not always explain why something sounds off, but they feel it. And once trust slips, it’s hard to regain.
Why This Phrase Confuses So Many People
At first glance, both versions seem reasonable. After all, collaboration usually involves working with someone. So adding with feels natural.
That instinct is exactly where the problem starts.
English already embeds meaning inside certain words. When writers stack meanings on top of each other, redundancy creeps in. Redundancy weakens clarity, rhythm, and authority.
This confusion spreads because:
- Non-native speakers translate directly from their first language
- Informal speech tolerates looser grammar
- Many websites copy from other incorrect sources
Over time, repetition makes the wrong phrase look acceptable. But professional English doesn’t work on repetition alone. It works on structure.
Understanding the Core Phrase: “Work Alongside”
To choose the correct phrase, you first need to understand alongside.
Alongside is a preposition that already means together with, next to, or in cooperation with.
That cooperative idea is baked in.
What “Alongside” Already Communicates
When you say:
“We work alongside our clients.”
You are clearly saying:
- We work with them
- We collaborate directly
- We participate together
Nothing is missing. The sentence is complete.
Adding with doesn’t strengthen the meaning. It duplicates it.
“Work Alongside You” Is the Grammatically Correct Form
Work alongside you is the correct, natural, and professional phrase.
It follows standard English grammar and mirrors how fluent speakers actually write and speak.
Why This Version Works
- Alongside already acts as the preposition
- You functions as the object
- The sentence flows smoothly
This structure appears in:
- Business writing
- Legal documents
- Academic papers
- Corporate websites
- Native-level communication
Real-World Examples
- “Our consultants work alongside you to solve complex challenges.”
- “We work alongside you throughout every stage of the project.”
- “The design team will work alongside you to refine the concept.”
Each example sounds clean, confident, and natural.
“Work Alongside With You” Sounds Wrong for a Reason
The phrase “work alongside with you” fails because it stacks two prepositions that perform the same job.
This creates preposition redundancy, a common writing mistake.
What’s Going Wrong Grammatically
- Alongside = together with
- With = together with
Using both is like saying:
- “Collaborate together together”
- “Return back again”
- “Discuss about the issue”
Fluent readers instantly feel the friction. The phrase slows them down, even if they can’t explain why.
Is “Work Alongside With You” Ever Acceptable?
In formal, professional, or published English, no.
However, context matters.
Where You Might Hear It
- Casual conversation
- ESL speakers practicing fluency
- Informal team chats
Spoken language often bends rules. Writing does not get the same grace.
Where You Should Never Use It
- Business websites
- Client emails
- Marketing copy
- Proposals
- Articles and blogs
If credibility matters, avoid it.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Phrase | Grammatically Correct | Sounds Natural | Professional Use | Recommended |
| Work alongside you | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Work alongside with you | No | No | No | No |
The winner isn’t close.
Why Redundancy Hurts Writing More Than You Think
Redundant language does more than clutter sentences. It quietly erodes trust.
The Hidden Costs of Redundancy
- Makes writing feel amateur
- Signals uncertainty
- Reduces clarity
- Weakens authority
- Hurts SEO readability scores
Strong writing removes excess. Every word earns its place.
As Mark Twain famously said:
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter.”
Read More:Dead in the Water: Meaning, and Why It Signals Finality
Common Real-World Mistakes and Clean Corrections
Mistakes often appear in places meant to impress. That’s what makes them costly.
Marketing Copy
Incorrect:
“We work alongside with you to grow your business.”
Correct:
“We work alongside you to grow your business.”
Business Emails
Incorrect:
“I look forward to working alongside with you on this.”
Correct:
“I look forward to working alongside you on this.”
LinkedIn Profiles
Incorrect:
“I enjoy working alongside with cross-functional teams.”
Correct:
“I enjoy working alongside cross-functional teams.”
Small fix. Big improvement.
Similar English Phrases People Often Get Wrong
This mistake doesn’t exist alone. It belongs to a family of redundant expressions.
Common Redundancies to Avoid
- Collaborate together → Collaborate
- Return back → Return
- Discuss about → Discuss
- Join with us → Join us
- Repeat again → Repeat
Each correction sharpens your writing instantly.
How Native Speakers Choose the Right Phrase Instinctively
Native speakers don’t consciously analyze grammar rules. They listen to rhythm.
“Work alongside you” feels complete.
“Work alongside with you” feels heavy.
That instinct comes from exposure to correct usage over time. You can develop it too.
A Simple Test
Read the sentence out loud.
If it sounds like something a confident professional would say, it probably works.
If it sounds padded, cut it.
SEO and Content Writing Perspective
Search engines favor clarity.
An analysis of authoritative business websites shows a clear pattern:
- “Work alongside you” appears consistently
- “Work alongside with you” rarely appears on trusted domains
Google doesn’t just index words. It evaluates how humans use them.
Using correct phrasing:
- Improves readability
- Reduces bounce rate
- Increases trust signals
Clear language performs better.
Quick Rules You Can Remember Forever
You don’t need to memorize grammar books.
Just remember this:
- Alongside already includes “with.”
- Never add “with” after alongside.
That one rule solves the problem permanently.
FAQs
Is “work alongside with you” grammatically incorrect?
Yes. It contains unnecessary preposition stacking and should be avoided in professional writing.
Why do so many people still use it?
Because of translation habits, informal speech, and copying incorrect examples online.
Can it be used in casual conversation?
You might hear it, but that doesn’t make it correct or advisable.
What’s the difference between “work with you” and “work alongside you”?
Both are correct. Alongside emphasizes cooperation and partnership more strongly.
Which phrase should I use in business writing?
Always use work alongside you.
Conclusion
Small language choices create big impressions. The difference between “work alongside you” and “work alongside with you” may look minor, but it speaks volumes about clarity, confidence, and professionalism.
Work alongside you is the correct, natural, and widely accepted form. It’s clean. It flows well. It reflects how fluent English actually works. Work alongside with you, on the other hand, adds an unnecessary layer that weakens the sentence and distracts the reader.
