achieve consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve consensus" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the idea of coming to an agreement with others. For example, "The members of the committee worked to achieve consensus on the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Gove says he hopes to achieve consensus.

The Guardian

"It didn't achieve consensus," Mr. Rose said.

The New York Times

I'm confident that it will achieve consensus status".

The New York Times - Tech

But it would also find it impossible to achieve consensus.

The Economist

When 'security' is its own rationale, it can be hard to gain acceptance and achieve consensus.

The Guardian

Third, will they achieve consensus and survive the test of time?

The Guardian

"We are working very hard to achieve consensus," she told reporters.

The New York Times

Over all, the effort to achieve consensus was a diplomatic triumph.

The New York Times

However, it is far from certain that Cameron will achieve consensus at the summit.

The Guardian

This gave her a useful grounding for Brussels where commissioners have to achieve consensus.

The Guardian

That is a very wide brief – possibly too wide to achieve consensus.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieve consensus" when you want to emphasize the process of working together to reach an agreement that everyone supports. It's particularly effective when dealing with potentially conflicting viewpoints.

Common error

Don't assume consensus has been achieved simply because there's no active opposition. Actively solicit input and confirm agreement to ensure everyone is truly on board. If not, find ways to "build consensus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve consensus" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of arriving at a general agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "achieve consensus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression denoting the successful culmination of a process aimed at reaching a general agreement. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and wide applicability. It appears frequently in contexts like news, science, and formal business settings, highlighting its relevance across diverse fields. While alternatives such as "reach agreement" or "find common ground" exist, "achieve consensus" uniquely emphasizes the effort and process involved in arriving at mutual understanding. It's essential to actively verify agreement, rather than assume it, to ensure genuine consensus is achieved. This makes "achieve consensus" a versatile and valuable term for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reach agreement

Focuses on the end result of an agreement rather than the process of achieving it.

Build a consensus

Focuses on the progressive nature of reaching an agreement through multiple contributions.

Come to terms

Implies acceptance of conditions or compromises necessary to reach an agreement.

Secure an agreement

Implies effort and a degree of difficulty in getting to agreement.

Find common ground

Highlights the shared understanding that forms the basis of an agreement.

Settle on a decision

Emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the agreement.

Forge a compromise

Stresses the collaborative effort and mutual concessions involved.

Arrive at a settlement

Suggests a resolution, often in a formal or legal context.

Establish accord

Suggests a formal and often written agreement, or a state of harmonious relations.

Gain acceptance

Focuses on widespread approval and agreement rather than a specific negotiated outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "achieve consensus" when you want to emphasize the collaborative effort to reach a mutually agreeable decision. For example: "The committee worked diligently to achieve consensus on the budget proposal".

What are some alternatives to "achieve consensus" that I can use?

Alternatives include "reach agreement", "come to terms", or "find common ground", depending on the specific context you're writing in.

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

Both "achieve consensus" and "reach consensus" are correct and widely used. "Achieve consensus" emphasizes the effort involved in the process, while "reach consensus" focuses on the outcome.

What does it mean to "build consensus", and how does it differ from "achieve consensus"?

Build consensus implies a gradual process of developing agreement through discussion and compromise. "Achieve consensus" suggests a more definitive point where agreement is reached, though both can be iterative.