a general consensus among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general consensus among" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when there is a general agreement or shared opinion among a group of people. Example: "There is a general consensus among scientists that climate change is caused by human activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But sadly there was a general consensus among reviewers that Murdoch did not emerge from the project looking very appealing.

The Guardian - Books

There is a general consensus among philosophers that a referential semantics for mental representation cannot support a robust account of intentional explanation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, he said, "there's a general consensus among all of the really busy volunteers about what an encyclopedia article needs to be like".

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Murphy said too that there was a general consensus among fans that Arcee, a female autobot, should not be featured in the movie.

The New York Times

There is a general consensus among those with access to private polls that Mr. McCall is leading Mr. Cuomo by a significant margin.

The New York Times

There is a general consensus among specialists that in wire mesh systems that have functioned well some elements may be over-designed or even unnecessary.

Engineering Geology

There is a general consensus among researchers and policymakers that matched savings programs can significantly increase the propensity to save among low-income households.

The Journal of Socio-Economics

The source of GCR nuclei is unknown, but there is a general consensus among high-energy astrophysicists that GCRs are accelerated by supernova (SN) shocks in the interstellar medium.

Advances in Space Research

But the White House's Office of Management and Budget also revised upward its economic growth assumptions, reflecting a general consensus among economists that the United States is capable of higher rates of noninflationary growth than previously thought.

The New York Times

There was a general consensus among delegates that staying closer to home by going into a European market such as France or Germany, was more appealing to an SME.

The Guardian

There is a general consensus among participants regarding probable syndromes suggested by the interpretation of the same result and most laboratories also agree on further investigations to be carried out for several diseases.

Clinica Chimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general consensus among" to indicate that while there's broad agreement, some level of disagreement or differing opinion might still exist. It's not necessarily unanimous.

Common error

Avoid using "a general consensus among" when there's clear evidence of significant disagreement or debate within the group. This phrase is best used when the agreement is substantial but not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general consensus among" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a statement or idea widely accepted by a group. It highlights a shared opinion or understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general consensus among" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a widespread agreement within a group. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate to use this phrase when a significant portion of a group shares a similar view, even if there are dissenting opinions. The phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, including science, news, academia, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the agreement is substantial and avoid overstating the degree of unanimity. While alternatives exist, such as "widespread agreement" and "prevailing view", "a general consensus among" clearly conveys the idea of a broadly accepted opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread agreement among

Replaces 'consensus' with 'agreement' and maintains the same structure.

broad agreement among

Similar to 'widespread agreement' but uses 'broad' to describe the extent of the agreement.

general accord among

Substitutes 'consensus' with 'accord', indicating harmony or agreement.

prevailing view among

Focuses on the dominant or most accepted opinion within a group.

common understanding among

Highlights the shared comprehension or interpretation within a group.

shared belief among

Emphasizes the common conviction or faith held by a group.

accepted wisdom among

Implies that the consensus is well-established and widely recognized.

collective opinion among

Focuses on the group's combined perspective or judgment.

majority view among

Highlights that the consensus represents the opinion of most people.

predominant sentiment among

Emphasizes the overall feeling or attitude shared by a group.

FAQs

How can I use "a general consensus among" in a sentence?

You can use "a general consensus among" to introduce an idea or viewpoint that is largely accepted within a specific group. For example, "There is a general consensus among doctors that early detection improves treatment outcomes."

What phrases are similar to "a general consensus among"?

Alternatives include "widespread agreement among", "broad agreement among", or "prevailing view among". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a general consensus among" when there are dissenting opinions?

Yes, the phrase indicates a broad agreement but acknowledges that not everyone may share the same opinion. If the disagreement is significant, consider using phrases like "the majority view" or "a prevalent belief" instead.

What's the difference between "a general consensus among" and "unanimous agreement among"?

"A general consensus among" suggests that most people agree, but not necessarily everyone. "Unanimous agreement among" implies that everyone is in complete agreement, with no dissenting opinions. Therefore, "unanimous agreement among" is stronger and less common.