Word order question (在一起 and 合作)

Question

I am learning Chinese on my own and I find myself getting the word order wrong on some sentences.

For example: 我們在一起合作很多年了 I sometimes mistakenly use this word order: 我們合作在一起很過年了

I realize this is a very basic question, but could somebody explain why 在一起 must come before 合作 in this sentence?

Also, what is the grammatical rule called, if I want to read up on this? In other words, what do I search for in order to find the grammar rule that applies?

Answer 1

一起/ 在一起 means 'together'(adv)

In English, it goes after the verb; In Chinese, it goes before the verb

Example:

[一起]看電視 - watch TV. [together]

[一起]洗澡 - bath [together]

[在一起]看電視 - watching TV. [together]

[在一起]洗澡 - bathing [together]

我們在一起合作很多年了

在一起 = together

合作 = work together

'together' in 'We have worked together for many years together' sounds redundant

It is better not to use the adverb 在一起 (together) in this context:

我們合作了很多年了 - We have worked together for many years

or change 合作 to 工作(work)

我們在一起工作很多年了 - We have been working together for many years

Answer 2

According to Chinese logic, it can be simply and rudely understood as because， only "together" then "work together" So "together" first, then "together"

Answer 3

Both sentences are acceptable.

• 我們 在一起合作 很多年了 - We together have cooperated for many years.

• 我們 合作在一起 很多年了 - We cooperated together for many years. (Edit: While this sentence is acceptable, it can be objectionable, see comment below.)

Similar to:

• 我們 在一起生活 很多年了 = 我們 生活在一起 很多年了