mutually
adv.-
1 reciprocally (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediatein a way that involves two people or groups doing the same thing for each other.
in a reciprocal manner; used when two or more parties perform the same action toward one another.
ExampleThe two companies decided to work together because they could mutually benefit from the deal.
ExampleThe treaty was designed so that both nations would mutually support each other in the event of a regional conflict.
UsageOften used with verbs like 'benefit', 'support', or 'respect'.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse this with 'together'. While 'together' means doing something as a group, 'mutually' emphasizes that the action goes back and forth between the members.
- reciprocally
- interactively
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2 shared or agreed upon (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediateshared by two or more people, or agreed on by everyone involved.
held in common or experienced by two or more parties; frequently modifies adjectives like 'exclusive', 'beneficial', or 'agreeable'.
ExampleThey reached a mutually convenient time for the meeting after checking their calendars.
ExampleThe two theories are mutually exclusive, meaning that if the first one is true, the second one must be false.
UsageCommonly appears in the fixed phrase 'mutually exclusive'.
Teacher's tipIn business and law, 'mutually' is used to show that an agreement is not forced by one side but accepted by both.
From mutual + -ly.