Reach a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Reach a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of coming to an agreement or shared decision among a group of people. Example: "After several hours of discussion, we were finally able to reach a consensus on the project's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Can we reach a consensus?

The New Yorker

But the brothers couldn't reach a consensus.

The New York Times - Sports

We try to reach a consensus".

The New York Times

Gove says it takes two to reach a consensus.

The Guardian

I am hoping we can reach a consensus".

The New York Times

The question, he added, was how to reach a consensus.

The New York Times

Sometimes we'll reach a consensus, sometimes we won't".

The New York Times

But we want some revisions to reach a consensus".

The Economist

This study demonstrates an urgent need to reach a consensus understanding of long-term ionospheric trends.

Advances in Space Research

Arguments for the excess of DM do not reach a consensus, but are not mutually exclusive.

Advances in Space Research

Demars has asked the Advisory Committee to try to reach a consensus on the budget cuts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Reach a consensus" when you want to emphasize the process of a group coming to a unified decision or agreement, especially after discussion or debate. This phrase is useful in formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Don't assume that "Reach a consensus" implies complete agreement on every detail. It often means finding a point where everyone can support the decision, even if they have reservations on certain aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Reach a consensus" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of a group arriving at a unified agreement. It often implies a process of discussion, negotiation, and compromise, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Reach a consensus" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of a group coming to a unified agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "come to an agreement" or "achieve a mutual understanding" exist, "Reach a consensus" emphasizes the collaborative effort involved. It's important to remember that it doesn't necessarily mean complete agreement on every detail, but rather a point where everyone can support the overall decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Come to an agreement

This alternative focuses on the action of agreeing, often implying a negotiation process.

Forge a consensus

This emphasizes the effort and construction involved in building an agreement.

Achieve a mutual understanding

This highlights the understanding aspect of the agreement, suggesting a deeper comprehension.

Find common ground

This emphasizes the process of discovering shared beliefs or interests to build agreement.

Arrive at a compromise

This suggests a settlement where each party makes concessions.

Unite in agreement

This suggests a strong, unified agreement.

Settle on a decision

This focuses on the final act of making a decision after discussion.

See eye to eye

This implies a complete agreement in perspective and opinion.

Get everyone on board

This focuses on gaining the support and agreement of all involved parties.

Find unanimity

This suggests achieving complete agreement with everyone involved.

FAQs

How can I use "Reach a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "Reach a consensus" to describe a group's process of coming to an agreement. For example, "After a lengthy debate, the committee was able to "reach a consensus" on the budget."

What are some alternatives to "Reach a consensus"?

Alternatives include phrases like "come to an agreement", "achieve a mutual understanding", or "find common ground", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to "Reach a consensus" in decision-making?

While striving to "reach a consensus" is often desirable, it's not always practical or necessary. In some situations, a majority vote or leadership decision may be more efficient.

What happens if a group is unable to "Reach a consensus"?

If a group cannot "reach a consensus", they may need to compromise, seek mediation, or defer to a higher authority for a decision.