Meaning & use
mutually benefit
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Meaning
verbtransitive or intransitive
to help each other in a way that gives advantages to both sides
Grammar: Often used with a plural subject: The two groups mutually benefit. It can also take an object: The plan mutually benefits both sides.
Patterns
- mutually benefit from something
- mutually benefit both sides
- mutually benefit each other
The two countries mutually benefit from open trade.
Their arrangement mutually benefits the school and the local businesses.
When neighbors share tools, they mutually benefit.
Word forms
| third person singular | mutually benefits |
|---|---|
| past tense | mutually benefited |
| past participle | mutually benefited |
| -ing form | mutually benefiting |
Common combinations
- mutually benefit from
- Both companies mutually benefit from the research partnership.
- mutually benefit both sides
- The agreement mutually benefits both sides.
- mutually benefit each other
- The mentor and the student mutually benefit each other.
- continue to mutually benefit
- The two communities continue to mutually benefit from the exchange.
Synonyms and how they differ
- help each other
- This is plainer and more common in everyday speech; it does not always suggest formal advantages.
- benefit both ways
- This is informal and emphasizes that each side gains.
Opposites
Word family
- mutually beneficial adjective
- Describing something that gives advantages to both sides.
- mutual benefit phrase
- The noun phrase for the advantages both sides get.
- benefit verb
- To help or be helped; to gain an advantage.
Commonly confused: mutually benefit or mutually beneficial?
mutually benefit vs mutually beneficial
This is an adjective; 'mutually benefit' is a verb. Compare: a mutually beneficial plan vs. The plan mutually benefits both sides.
Practice
The two organizations ________ from sharing their resources.
Choose one answer.
We need a verb after the subject 'The two organizations', so 'mutually benefit' is correct. 'Mutually beneficial' is an adjective, and 'mutual benefits' and 'mutual benefit' are noun phrases, so they cannot fill this verb slot.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mutually benefit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.