agree on a timetable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree on a timetable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the scheduling of events or deadlines in a collaborative context. Example: "After several meetings, we finally managed to agree on a timetable for the project milestones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They will also agree on a timetable of no more than seven years for eliminating tariffs on the remaining 10%.

The Economist

To make matters worse, the two nations said this week that they could not agree on a timetable for implementing the agreement.

The New York Times

In November 1990 Geoffrey Howe, the last remaining giant from her 1979 Cabinet, resigned as deputy prime minister over her refusal to agree on a timetable to join a single European currency.

The Economist

It will be hard, for example, to agree on a timetable for pulling out about 30,000 Turkish soldiers from the north, decide how many settlers from Turkey could stay on, and deal with property claims.

The Economist

He wants to agree on a timetable for a referendum in which Australians will vote on whether to recognise indigenous people in the constitution, on which the country was founded in 1901.

The Economist

The deal looked likely to be struck after a fortnight of negotiations ran into an unscheduled extra day because countries could not agree on a timetable for setting clear national targets on cuts in carbon.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

During next week's meeting they can agree on a fast timetable for doing this ahead of the UN climate meeting in December in Paris, providing new momentum for those climate negotiations as well.

Huffington Post

Congressional aides said House and Senate negotiators had tentatively agreed on a timetable that would require the use of X-ray machines or new equipment to check for explosives in all checked luggage within a year.

The New York Times

Mr. Gorbachev said the Soviet and Afghan Governments had agreed on a timetable for a phased withdrawal of troops "as soon as a political settlement is reached that insures an actual cessation and dependably guarantees the nonresumption of foreign armed interference" in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

They have agreed on a timetable for giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament after Thursday's referendum.

BBC

They have agreed on a timetable for giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament but are a long, long way from agreeing proposals.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "agree on a timetable", ensure all parties involved have actively participated in the decision-making process to avoid future disputes or misunderstandings about deadlines.

Common error

Avoid agreeing on a timetable that lacks specific dates or milestones. A vague timetable can lead to confusion and delays. Be precise about deadlines and responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree on a timetable" functions as a verb phrase indicating a collaborative decision-making process to establish a schedule. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts like international negotiations and project management, reflecting this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agree on a timetable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a mutual decision regarding a schedule. As confirmed by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and business contexts, highlighting its relevance in negotiations, project planning, and international relations. While alternatives like "establish a schedule" or "reach a consensus on timing" exist, "agree on a timetable" specifically emphasizes the act of reaching a consensus on a defined schedule. Ensuring specificity and active participation are crucial for effective use. In summary, "agree on a timetable" is a valuable tool for conveying coordinated planning and scheduling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a consensus on timing

Highlights the agreement aspect regarding when something will occur.

decide on a schedule

More general than "agree on a timetable", simply stating that a decision was made.

determine a timeline

Similar to timetable, but timeline is a broader term.

establish a schedule

Focuses on creating a schedule, less about reaching agreement.

conclude a schedule

More formal; emphasizes the ending or finalization of a schedule.

set a deadline

Emphasizes the final date for completion, not the entire schedule.

forge a schedule agreement

More formal; indicates the forging of an accord to fix a schedule.

settle on a program

Focuses on agreeing upon a structured plan or series of actions, rather than just the timing.

fix a date

Focuses specifically on selecting a date, not a broader timetable.

define a project calendar

Used specifically for project management contexts involving scheduled events.

FAQs

How to use "agree on a timetable" in a sentence?

You can use "agree on a timetable" to describe a situation where multiple parties have come to a mutual understanding about the scheduling of future events. For example: "The negotiating teams managed to agree on a timetable for the phased withdrawal of troops."

What can I say instead of "agree on a timetable"?

You can use alternatives like "establish a schedule", "set a deadline", or "reach a consensus on timing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "agree on a timetable" or "agree to a timetable"?

"Agree on a timetable" is generally preferred as it implies reaching a mutual consensus regarding the schedule. "Agree to a timetable" is also acceptable but less common.

What's the difference between "agree on a timeline" and "agree on a timetable"?

While similar, "agree on a timeline" often refers to a more general sequence of events, while "agree on a timetable" implies a more specific and detailed schedule with set dates or deadlines.