achieve a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in any situation in which two or more parties are trying to work together to reach an agreement. For example, "The team worked hard to achieve a consensus on the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Virtually every major decision he has made has come with delicate, usually quiet negotiation with Republicans to achieve a consensus.

The New York Times

The United States had to work hard to achieve a consensus among NATO members on resuming talks with Russia.

The New York Times

It is customary for the ruling party to make its choice, and then to try to achieve a consensus.

The Economist

Unfortunately, the resolution, which had been introduced by the Netherlands, was watered down, and even that version did not achieve a consensus.

The New York Times

"If you lay out a bunch of options, you preserve the ability to have a conversation where after a long period of time you achieve a consensus outcome".

The New York Times

However, diplomats here said the discussions, which were held at the assistant foreign minister level, had failed to achieve a consensus on whether to punish North Korea for having broken its commitments or how to do it.

The New York Times

"We absolutely need to achieve a consensus so that the million or so people who will be directly affected by flooding in the medium or long term can agree on the principles underpinning any solutions," he says.

The Guardian

We would like the Secretary of State to have a longer consultation period to achieve a consensus on what we all want - the best possible exam system in which the greatest number of young people engage.

The Guardian

He said the United States still hoped to achieve a consensus among the permanent members, but wanted at least "a sufficient level of understanding between us so that there is no veto in the offing".

The New York Times

Jeremy Corbyn faces a continuing struggle to assert his authority over the shadow cabinet after Hilary Benn directly challenged the central aim of his lengthy reshuffle: to achieve a consensus over foreign and defence policy.

The Guardian

The US now appears isolated as China, India and many other countries, firmly support the idea of continuing with the two existing UN negotiating tracks to try to achieve a consensus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieve a consensus" when you want to emphasize the successful outcome of a negotiation or discussion process.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is responsible for achieving the consensus. For example, instead of writing "A consensus was achieved," specify "The team achieved a consensus."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve a consensus" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful attainment of agreement among multiple parties. As shown by Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe the result of negotiations, discussions, or collaborative efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "achieve a consensus" is a commonly used phrase that describes the successful reaching of an agreement among multiple parties. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives such as "reach an agreement" or "find common ground" exist, "achieve a consensus" effectively conveys the idea of resolution and shared understanding. To use the phrase effectively, ensure clarity in context and avoid passive voice constructions. Remember that building consensus is the process while achieving it is the desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of reaching a mutual understanding or settlement.

find common ground

Emphasizes the process of discovering shared beliefs, interests, or opinions.

come to terms

Highlights the acceptance of conditions or reaching a compromise after discussion or disagreement.

arrive at a compromise

Stresses the aspect of mutual concessions to reach a settlement.

forge a united front

Suggests creating a unified position, often against an opposing force.

build mutual understanding

Highlights the gradual development of a shared comprehension.

establish accord

Implies a formal agreement or harmony between parties.

foster concurrence

Focuses on promoting agreement or harmony in opinion.

find unanimity

Emphasizes the state of complete agreement among all parties involved.

engineer a settlement

Highlights the act of skillfully arranging or manipulating a situation to reach an agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "achieve a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "achieve a consensus" to describe the process of reaching an agreement. For example: "The committee worked diligently to "reach an agreement" and "achieve a consensus" on the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "achieve a consensus"?

Alternatives include "reach an agreement", "find common ground", or "come to terms", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "achieve consensus" or "achieve a consensus"?

"Achieve a consensus" is generally preferred because it treats "consensus" as a countable noun, emphasizing the specific instance of agreement. "Achieve consensus" is less common but can be used in more abstract contexts.

What does it mean to "build consensus" versus "achieve a consensus"?

"Build consensus" implies a gradual process of persuasion and negotiation to gain support, whereas "achieve a consensus" focuses on the successful outcome of reaching an agreement at a specific point in time. Think of "build a consensus" as the journey, and "achieve a consensus" as the destination.