a serious compromise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious compromise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant concession or agreement that may involve a trade-off or sacrifice in a negotiation or decision-making process. Example: "After hours of discussion, we reached a serious compromise that satisfied both parties' main concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Opinion

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For me, carrying a tablet is a serious compromise in terms of usability and convenience.

The New York Times

Indeed, each time one of these "malls" permits a store to open onto the street rather than have its sole access from within, a serious compromise is committed.

The New York Times

"The move to MOOCs comes at great peril to our university," the letter said, "We regard such courses as a serious compromise of quality of education and, ironically for a social justice course, a case of social injustice".

The New York Times

Re "Vermont's House Backs Wide Rights for Gay Couples" (front page, March 17): Allowing gay and lesbian couples the privilege of the benefits of marriage is a serious compromise.

The New York Times

In calling for an expansion to 15,000 entering students by 1976, the association said that the nation's medical schools could admit three‐fourths of their current applicants "with out a serious compromise of the quality of education provided". Medical schools now reject about half their applicants.

The New York Times

But the Coalition's budget proposes a serious compromise to artistic independence in this country; budget papers have announced the shocking redirect of more than $100m over four years away from the Australia Council to a "national program for excellence in the arts", administered directly through the office of the arts minister and attorneygeneral, George Brandis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has refused to make any serious compromises, and the two-state solution seems to have a diminishing chance of ever happening.

The New York Times

We've reached out to FriendFeed to see if there have been any serious compromises because of this bug.

TechCrunch

This response has had some success in keeping up minority enrollments, but at the cost of an even more serious compromise of academic standards than the relatively modest concession represented by affirmative action itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Valuation, therefore, is a very important issue that must be understood by fund investors, or else the mistakes that they make when evaluating a general partners progress can serious compromise their investment goals.

Forbes

Although the leak led to some sensational stories — Michael Morell, a top C.I.A. official, called it "the most serious compromise of classified information in the history of the U.S. intelligence community" — the journalists largely adhered to Snowden's stipulation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious compromise", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being conceded and why it is significant. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious compromise" when the situation involves only minor adjustments. Overstating the significance can diminish the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious compromise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is used when discussing a significant concession or agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Education

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious compromise" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a significant agreement involving notable concessions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate for highlighting substantial adjustments made by parties involved in a negotiation or decision. Predominantly found in news and media, but also prevalent in scientific and business contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register. When using "a serious compromise", ensure the context clearly illustrates the significance of the concessions to avoid overstating the impact. Alternatives such as "a substantial concession" or "a major trade-off" can be employed to vary the phrasing while maintaining semantic similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial concession

Emphasizes the significant nature of the concession being made.

a major trade-off

Highlights the exchange of benefits and drawbacks involved.

a significant agreement

Focuses on the importance and impact of the agreement reached.

a difficult adjustment

Underlines the challenging nature of adapting to the compromise.

a grave sacrifice

Stresses the element of loss or giving up something valuable.

a tough decision

Highlights the difficulty involved in making the compromise.

a risky arrangement

Implies that the compromise involves potential dangers or uncertainties.

a notable understanding

Focuses on the clarity and mutual acceptance achieved through the compromise.

a considerable adjustment

Stresses the large scale changes that need to take place.

a pragmatic resolution

Highlights the practical and realistic nature of the compromise.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious compromise" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious compromise" to describe a significant agreement where parties have made substantial concessions. For example, "The peace treaty involved "a serious compromise" from both sides".

What are some alternatives to "a serious compromise"?

Alternatives include "a substantial concession", "a major trade-off", or "a significant agreement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a compromise "serious"?

A compromise is considered "serious" when it involves significant concessions, potential risks, or long-term consequences for the involved parties. It goes beyond minor adjustments and requires substantial adjustments.

Is "a serious compromise" always negative?

Not necessarily. While it acknowledges that something has been given up, "a serious compromise" can also lead to positive outcomes like resolving conflicts, achieving progress, or creating stability. The overall impact depends on the specific context.