aim for agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim for agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the goal of reaching a consensus or mutual understanding in a conversation or negotiation. Example: "During the meeting, we should aim for agreement on the project's objectives to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr Santer observes that this should spur those who want early enlargement to aim for agreement in Amsterdam.

The Economist

These should aim for agreement on phased withdrawals by Isaf, and promises that security will be in the hands of Afghan police chosen by local people rather than sent in from outside.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A Japanese official told the Guardian that Tokyo was aiming for an agreement to come into force in 2020, which was "realistic", though he later said Japan was aiming for agreement "as soon as possible".

The Guardian

The two sides of the negotiations are aiming for agreement at an EU leaders' summit next month, although an emergency summit is likely to be held in mid-November should the timeline slip.

The Guardian

The Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis) wants to aim for an agreement by 2015, after hopes faded that a new global treaty could be signed to follow on immediately when the current provisions of the Kyoto protocol expire next year.

The Guardian

Connie Hedegaard, Europe's climate chief, said the EU's roadmap was to aim for an agreement to be drawn up "by the first COP [UN meeting] after 2015", which would be December 2016, and this could then come into force in 2020.

The Guardian

The Union of Concerned Scientists says of the IPCC process "it would be clearly unrealistic to aim for unanimous agreement on every aspect of the report". Perhaps this is a subject for another day.

Forbes

And if the two nations can have an agreement on polar bears, he said, why not aim for future agreements on the walrus and other wildlife?

The New York Times - Science

But given this situation, bringing them all together would be challenging; for instance, the climate change negotiations seek a legally binding accord ratified by world parliaments while the disaster risk reduction process and the Sustainable Development Goals aim for voluntary agreements.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Washington's principal aim in pressing for agreement soon, she insisted, is to help Israel get to the final talks that Mr. Netanyahu himself asked President Clinton to promote.

The New York Times

Both Russia and Japan have spoken in recent weeks of aiming for an agreement in 2018 or 2020, and the UK has supported this move.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aim for agreement" when you want to convey the importance of having a clear objective to reach a mutual understanding or consensus in a formal or informal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "aim for agreement" when the situation requires immediate action or a decision where consensus is not essential or realistically achievable. Focus on efficiency instead of prolonged negotiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim for agreement" functions as a directive, setting forth the intention to reach a consensus or mutual understanding. Ludwig shows various contexts where this phrase is used to express the purpose of negotiations, discussions, or collaborative efforts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim for agreement" is a grammatically sound and pragmatically versatile expression used to convey the intent of reaching a consensus, as validated by Ludwig. While categorized as "Rare" in frequency, it is well-suited for various contexts, from news reporting to business negotiations. The phrase functions as a directive, communicating the goal of mutual understanding and demonstrating a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives such as ""seek consensus"" or ""strive for consensus"" offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek consensus

Focuses on the act of looking for agreement, implying a deliberate search.

strive for consensus

Emphasizes the effort and determination required to reach an agreement.

work towards agreement

Highlights the process and ongoing effort involved in reaching an agreement.

pursue a consensus

Suggests a more active and directed effort to obtain an agreement.

try to reach an agreement

Indicates an attempt to find common ground, without guaranteeing success.

endeavor to agree

Implies a serious and committed attempt to find common ground.

seek common ground

Focuses on finding shared beliefs or interests as a basis for agreement.

foster understanding

Emphasizes the creation of a mutual comprehension as a step toward agreement.

promote accord

Highlights efforts to ensure a state of consensus.

advance harmony

Focuses on the positive and cooperative aspects of reaching an agreement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "aim for agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "aim for agreement" to suggest a goal of reaching a consensus, as in, "During negotiations, both parties should "aim for agreement" on the key terms."

What are some alternatives to "aim for agreement"?

Instead of "aim for agreement", you can use phrases like "seek consensus", "strive for consensus", or "work towards agreement", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "aim for agreement" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "aim for agreement" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts like business negotiations, policy discussions, or academic papers, where the goal of reaching a consensus is relevant.

What's the difference between "aim for agreement" and "achieve agreement"?

"Aim for agreement" suggests an intention or goal, while "achieve agreement" implies that the consensus has already been reached. The former describes the process, and the latter the outcome.