a general agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

"a general agreement" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a common understanding or consensus among a group of people. For example: - "There was a general agreement among the board members to approve the budget proposal." - "After much discussion, the team reached a general agreement on the next steps for the project." - "The survey results showed a general agreement among customers that the new product was of high quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We will have a general agreement, without them".

The New York Times

Yet the basis of a general agreement is already clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a general agreement among whoever is in the room.

The New York Times - Arts

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: 'There is a general agreement with the player.

The Guardian - Sport

There was a general agreement it would be better if there was greater engagement with the public in the process.

The Guardian

Still, for the most part, there has been a general agreement among the various groups on trends in the data.

The New York Times

Strictly speaking, free speech doesn't always require a general agreement on facts — as in, say, the freedom of religious practice.

The New Yorker

And yet, he said, "there's a general agreement that over the long run, it's cheaper to consolidate".

The New York Times

"There is a general agreement that we can't stand where we are for much longer," the official said.

The New York Times

"I think there's a general agreement that, yeah, it's not Hubert Humphrey's Vice-Presidency anymore," Light went on.

The New Yorker

"There was a general agreement on the desirability of the industry solving our own problems," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general agreement", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is in agreement and about what. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a general agreement" when there are significant dissenting voices or unresolved issues. Overstating the consensus can undermine your credibility and misrepresent the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general agreement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI also indicates, it expresses the existence of a shared understanding or consensus on a particular matter. The examples show its versatility across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general agreement" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that signals a broad consensus or shared understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase works across many contexts but most frequently appears in News & Media and Scientific sources. Ensure clarity by specifying who agrees and on what they agree, and avoid overstating the extent of the consensus. Related phrases include "a common understanding" and "a broad consensus". Using these guidelines will help you employ the phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common understanding

Focuses on a shared comprehension rather than a formal agreement.

a broad consensus

Emphasizes a widespread agreement, potentially including a larger group.

a shared view

Highlights the similarity in perspective among individuals.

a mutual understanding

Stresses reciprocity in the understanding between parties.

a collective decision

Indicates a decision made by a group, emphasizing the process.

a unified position

Suggests a single, agreed-upon stance on a particular issue.

a joint resolution

Implies a formal agreement to resolve a matter together.

a coordinated effort

Focuses on the aligned actions resulting from an agreement.

a convergence of opinion

Highlights the process of different opinions coming together.

an alignment of interests

Stresses the compatible objectives that lead to an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general agreement" to indicate a shared understanding or consensus. For example, "There is "a general agreement" among scientists about the effects of climate change."

What's the difference between "a general agreement" and "a specific agreement"?

"A general agreement" refers to a broad consensus on a topic, while "a specific agreement" outlines particular terms and conditions that have been agreed upon. The former is less detailed and more about overall understanding.

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

Alternatives to "a general agreement" include "a common understanding", "a broad consensus", or "a shared view" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "there is a general agreement" or "there are a general agreement"?

It is correct to say "there is a general agreement" because "agreement" is a singular noun. The phrase implies that within a group, there's one prevailing consensus, not multiple separate agreements.