achieved a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieved a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a group of people has come to an agreement or shared understanding on a particular issue or decision. Example: "After several hours of discussion, the committee finally achieved a consensus on the proposed budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

First, it actually achieved a consensus, unveiled this week.

The Economist

"We have not yet achieved a consensus on proposals that have been put forward," Lord Robertson admitted.

The Guardian

Spain's El País says the summit achieved a consensus which opened fertile possibilities to face up to the world recession.

The Guardian

Fine art appears later, when the culture has achieved a consensus on the meaning of an event, sorted out its conclusions and, often, buried its dead.

The New York Times - Arts

Rather to everyone's surprise it achieved a consensus, which was to be announced on a television chat show on May 2nd.

The Economist

Whereas the government team went to Geneva determined to talk only of stopping terrorism – by which they meant all armed opposition – and the rebels only wanted a formula for President Bashar al-Assad's removal, Brahimi seems to have achieved a consensus that there are two key issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 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

The key to achieving a consensus in New York that keeps the NPT alive and healthy may lie in a compromise over a Middle East WMD-free zone.

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "achieved a consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates who was involved in reaching the agreement and on what specific issue.

Common error

Avoid using "achieved a consensus" when the agreement was only among a small subset of a larger group, as this can misrepresent the overall level of support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieved a consensus" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a group has successfully reached an agreement. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, like political agreements and scientific research.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "achieved a consensus" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group has reached an agreement. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in both news media and scientific contexts. While alternatives such as ""reached an agreement"" or "came to a mutual understanding" exist, "achieved a consensus" specifically highlights the process of building agreement. It is important to use this phrase when true consensus has been reached and to specify the involved parties. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for a variety of communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of agreeing rather than the process of consensus-building.

came to a mutual understanding

Highlights the aspect of understanding each other's viewpoints.

arrived at a common view

Emphasizes the shared perspective that was developed.

forged a unanimous decision

Implies a more forceful or deliberate process of creating agreement.

established a shared position

Highlights the creation of a unified stance or viewpoint.

settled on a unified approach

Suggests that different approaches were considered before settling on one.

concurred on a resolution

Emphasizes formal agreement, especially in resolving a problem.

found common ground

Highlights the commonalities between the parties.

agreed upon a solution

Specifies that the agreement was about solving a problem.

harmonized their opinions

Suggests that different opinions were adjusted to create harmony.

FAQs

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

You can use "achieved a consensus" to indicate that a group has come to a mutual agreement, as in, "The board members "reached an agreement" after a lengthy discussion."

What's the difference between "achieved a consensus" and "reached a compromise"?

"Achieved a consensus" implies that everyone fully agrees, while "reached a compromise" suggests that parties made concessions to find common ground, even if not everyone is completely satisfied.

What can I say instead of "achieved a consensus"?

You can use alternatives like ""reached an agreement"", "came to a mutual understanding", or "agreed upon a solution" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to achieve a consensus in decision-making?

No, achieving a consensus is not always necessary. In some situations, a majority vote or decision by an authority figure may be more appropriate or efficient.