a consensus is needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a consensus is needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that agreement or collective opinion is required among a group of people. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, a consensus is needed to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A consensus is needed though, one that is reflective of both individual and societal values and goals.

Critical Care

A consensus is needed on a minimum essential dataset to underpin effective national health information systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the crummy summer camp I'd attended when I was younger, every hour of the day was scheduled, which I didn't find very relaxing, and on family vacations — where a consensus was needed to do anything — I always had to tag along after my four older siblings.

The New York Times

BRUSSELS — The European Commission on Wednesday rebuffed claims from Germany and France that it was moving too slowly to regulate risky financial practices and said that a consensus was needed among all members of the 27-nation bloc before a decision was made.

The New York Times

A new consensus is needed which might even require thinking outside of the licence fee box.

The Guardian

More generally, a political consensus is needed on growth-promoting policies, so that investment is not held hostage to political infighting.

The Guardian - Business

However, until a validated PSA measure is found, an international consensus is needed about what might constitute biochemical failure after focal therapy, so that medium-term outcomes can be used to allow comparison between individual focal-therapy series, and between focal therapy and standard care.

European Urology

It appears that an acceptable consensus is needed to define the abnormalities based on the EGG recording when it is used to assess stomach motor dysfunction.

BioMed Research International

Regarding Afghanistan, Khan argued that a government of consensus is needed in that country, adding that Pakistan can play a credible role there.

The Guardian

The case demonstrates that an organization's formal and informal rules can make the design principles mutually reinforcing, while a stronger political consensus is needed to manage tensions between accountability and stability.

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

It says that past attempts to address inequality and social exclusion have been piecemeal, and a new social and political consensus is needed to recognise that poverty in the UK is "real, causes harm, and is a solvable problem".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a consensus is needed", ensure the context clearly indicates who needs to reach the consensus and about what.

Common error

Avoid stating "a consensus is needed" without identifying the relevant parties. Be specific about who should be involved in the consensus-building process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a consensus is needed" functions as a statement of necessity, indicating that reaching an agreement or shared understanding is required for a particular situation or action. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a consensus is needed" correctly conveys the necessity of reaching an agreement or shared understanding before moving forward. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various reputable sources. The analysis highlights its suitability for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to science and business. While several alternatives exist, such as "agreement is required" or "common ground is essential", the key is to ensure clarity about who needs to reach the consensus and in relation to what. By avoiding vague statements and specifying stakeholders, writers can effectively communicate the need for collective agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective agreement is needed

Specifies that the agreement should be a collective one.

agreement is required

Focuses on the necessity of reaching an agreement.

there needs to be agreement

A more conversational way to express the necessity of agreement.

agreement must be reached

Emphasizes the obligation to achieve agreement.

widespread agreement is crucial

Emphasizes the breadth and importance of the agreement.

common ground is essential

Highlights the importance of finding shared understanding.

general accord is necessary

Uses more formal language to express the need for agreement.

mutual understanding is vital

Stresses the importance of understanding each other's perspectives.

shared perspective is imperative

Highlights the critical need for a shared viewpoint.

unified approach is essential

Focuses on the need for a single, coordinated strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "a consensus is needed" in a sentence?

You can use "a consensus is needed" to express the necessity of an agreement among a group of people. For example, "Before implementing the new policy, "a consensus is needed" among the team members".

What are some alternatives to saying "a consensus is needed"?

Alternatives include "agreement is required", "agreement must be reached", or "common ground is essential" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a consensus is needed"?

While grammatically correct, using "a consensus is needed" might be inappropriate if the situation doesn't genuinely require group agreement. Sometimes, a decision can be made without full consensus.

What's the difference between "a consensus is needed" and "a decision is needed"?

The phrase "a decision is needed" implies that any resolution is acceptable as long as something is decided. In contrast, ""a consensus is needed"" suggests that the decision should be made through a collective agreement.