agree on terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree on terms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the conditions or stipulations that two or more parties have come to a mutual understanding about. Example: "Before we finalize the contract, we need to agree on terms regarding payment and delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

If player and team failed to agree on terms, another one-year extension was automatically implemented.

The New York Times

Although both are keen to cut flab from their sprawling branch networks, they could not agree on terms.

The Economist

But the parties couldn't agree on terms.

The New York Times

"We just couldn't agree on terms," Mr. Galassi said.

The New York Times - Books

Legally speaking, however, countries have yet to agree on terms like "falsified" and "substandard".

The New York Times

In the end, the talks fell apart when the parties couldn't agree on terms.

The New York Times

The deal for Keane would be complicated even if the two clubs can agree on terms.

Independent

It and Mr. Papert's group, however, could not agree on terms for a deal.

The New York Times

In a joint statement, the agencies attributed the decision to an inability to agree on terms.

The New York Times

But the Democrats took too long to agree on terms, and the Republicans withdrew the offer.

The New Yorker

The sides were then meant to agree on terms of compensation, normalize ties and send envoys to each other's nations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "agree on terms", ensure that all parties involved have a clear understanding of what those terms entail to avoid future misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "agree on terms" without specifying what those terms are. Always clarify the specific conditions or stipulations being agreed upon to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree on terms" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of reaching a mutual understanding or accord regarding specific conditions or stipulations. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in contexts involving negotiations, contracts, and settlements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

TechCrunch

2%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agree on terms" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of reaching a mutual understanding regarding the conditions of an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and business. Related phrases include "reach an agreement" and "settle on conditions", each with slight differences in emphasis. When using "agree on terms", clarity is key to prevent misunderstandings. Overall, "agree on terms" effectively conveys the idea of consensus and finalized conditions, proving valuable in negotiations and formal arrangements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

This alternative is broader, referring to any type of agreement, not specifically on conditions.

settle on conditions

This alternative emphasizes the specific conditions that are agreed upon.

come to a consensus

This alternative focuses on achieving a unanimous agreement among multiple parties.

strike a deal

This alternative implies a more formal agreement, often in a business context.

find common ground

This alternative suggests a process of discovering shared interests before reaching an agreement.

seal the bargain

This alternative means reaching a final agreement, often used after negotiations.

close the deal

This alternative conveys the finalization of an agreement, commonly used in business settings.

arrive at a settlement

This alternative suggests resolving a dispute or conflict by agreeing on specific terms.

find an accommodation

This alternative means making adjustments to satisfy the needs of involved parties.

work out an arrangement

This alternative focuses on creating a plan or agreement through collaboration.

FAQs

How can I use "agree on terms" in a sentence?

You can use "agree on terms" to indicate that parties have reached a mutual understanding regarding the conditions or stipulations of an agreement. For example: "The companies were unable to "agree on terms" for the merger."

What's a more formal way to say "agree on terms"?

In a formal context, you might use "reach an agreement regarding conditions" or "settle upon stipulations" as alternatives to "agree on terms".

What does it mean when parties "can't agree on terms"?

When parties can't "agree on terms", it means they are unable to find common ground or reach a mutual understanding on the conditions necessary to finalize an agreement or deal.

Is "agree to terms" the same as "agree on terms"?

"Agree to terms" is more about accepting a set of predefined conditions, while ""agree on terms"" implies a negotiation process where the conditions are mutually determined. The subtle difference lies in the level of collaboration involved.