a friendly agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a friendly agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an agreement that is made in a cordial or amicable manner, often implying mutual respect and understanding between the parties involved. Example: "After a long discussion, we reached a friendly agreement that satisfied both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But Ms. Labourdette said she recognized that Mr. Weiss had purchased the work in "good faith" and said she hoped to reach a friendly agreement with him.

The New York Times

I told the Russian gentlemen that Germany would do everything to settle the situation in Poland and to settle the difficulties peacefully in order to reach a friendly agreement despite everything.

Yale University

Verizon, the report continues, "hopes to start discussions with Vodafone soon for a friendly agreement but is prepared to take a bid public if the British company does not engage, one of the sources added".

The New York Times

Sanofi-Synthélabo executives and their advisers have been holding informal, behind the scenes discussions with Aventis all weekend in an effort to reach a friendly agreement, the executives said.

The New York Times

But it is possible, that unless the government reaches a friendly agreement with high street banks, annual reports for 2011 could contain less information about pay than in 2010.

The Guardian - Business

I think it would have been a better approach for the Italian government to make this a friendly agreement rather than demonize Google.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Britoil already has reached a competing, friendly agreement with Atlantic Richfield Co. to acquire a partial stake in Britoil.

Los Angeles Times

Just like Apple must have gotten a very friendly agreement when switching the Mac to Intel, one can easily see a (still very hypothetical) sweet deal for low-power x86 chips for iDevices.

The Guardian - Tech

In 2001, in a so-called friendly agreement with the IAPA, the Guatemalan state acknowledged its responsibility.

Harvard University

A lawyer representing Cimbali, Massimiliano Mostardini, said the "friendly agreement" was covered by "strict confidentiality obligations".

The New York Times

CanniMed rejected the offer and, on November 17, announced a friendly acquisition agreement with Newstrike Resources whereby Newstrike shareholders would receive 33 CanniMed shares per 1,000 Newstrike shares.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a positive tone in negotiations or conflict resolution, use "a friendly agreement" to highlight the cooperative spirit and mutual respect.

Common error

Avoid using "a friendly agreement" in highly formal or legal contexts where precision and absence of ambiguity are paramount. In such cases, opt for more precise terms like "contract" or "settlement agreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friendly agreement" functions as a noun phrase, where "friendly" modifies the noun "agreement". It describes a specific type of agreement characterized by amicability and goodwill. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friendly agreement" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an agreement reached amicably. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent and appropriate for conveying a sense of cordiality in negotiations. For more formal settings, alternatives like "a cordial settlement" or "an amicable understanding" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an amicable understanding

Replaces "agreement" with "understanding", implying a mutual comprehension reached amicably; slightly less formal.

a cordial settlement

Substitutes "agreement" with "settlement", focusing on the resolution aspect, and "friendly" with "cordial", adding a touch of formality.

a cooperative arrangement

Emphasizes the collaborative nature of the agreement, replacing "friendly" with "cooperative".

a mutually beneficial pact

Highlights the reciprocal benefits derived from the agreement, using "pact" instead of "agreement" for a slightly stronger connotation.

a neighborly accord

Suggests an agreement between parties with a close or communal relationship; "accord" replaces "agreement".

a collaborative understanding

Combines the collaborative aspect with the idea of a mutual understanding, instead of a formal agreement.

a peaceful resolution

Focuses on resolving conflict amicably, rather than just reaching an agreement.

an agreeable compromise

Highlights the element of compromise in reaching the agreement, implying some concessions were made.

a collegial consensus

Suggests a consensus reached in a professional or academic setting, implying a cooperative atmosphere.

a good-faith arrangement

Emphasizes that the agreement was made with honest intentions and trust between parties.

FAQs

How can I use "a friendly agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "a friendly agreement" to describe situations where parties reach a mutually acceptable understanding through amicable negotiation. For example: "After a long discussion, they reached "a friendly agreement" that benefited both sides."

What can I say instead of "a friendly agreement"?

You can use alternatives like "an amicable understanding", "a cordial settlement", or "a cooperative arrangement depending on the context.

Is "a friendly agreement" the same as "a mutual agreement"?

While both terms suggest an understanding between parties, "a mutual agreement" simply indicates agreement between two or more parties, whereas "a friendly agreement" emphasizes the amicable nature of reaching that agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "a friendly agreement" versus a more formal term?

"A friendly agreement" is appropriate in situations where the relationship between parties is important and a positive tone is desired. In contrast, more formal terms like "contract" or "settlement agreement" are better suited for legal or highly structured contexts.