arrive at a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"arrive at a consensus" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to reach an agreement or decision after discussing and considering different opinions or ideas. Example: After hours of debate, the team finally arrived at a consensus on the best course of action for the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They review a case and arrive at a consensus treatment recommendation.

The New York Times - Health

A smaller group was designated to arrive at a consensus on the final choice.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'd have to discuss it with the Godolphin people and arrive at a consensus.

The Guardian - Sport

"The larger the group, the longer it took to arrive at a consensus".

The New York Times - Books

Do they discuss things, change their opinions and arrive at a consensus?

The Guardian

Others expressed doubt that blacks would arrive at a consensus candidate.

The New York Times

"These two family groups can't seem to arrive at a consensus," agreed Dr. Charles S. Hirsch, the chief medical examiner.

The New York Times

What we don't have, yet, is the leadership to arrive at a consensus on what will work.

The New York Times

To resolve the issue, scientists on both sides of the debate collaborated in an attempt to arrive at a consensus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The government is not hesitating to discuss any item, and possibly arrive at a consensus," Mr. Nath said Tuesday.

The New York Times

To do right by their constituents, Republicans and Democrats must work together to arrive at a consensus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arrive at a consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates a process of discussion and deliberation leading to agreement. This phrase is best suited when different viewpoints are considered before a final decision is made.

Common error

Avoid using "arrive at a consensus" when a decision is made unilaterally or without genuine input from all parties involved. Using the phrase in such contexts can mislead readers and misrepresent the decision-making process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrive at a consensus" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the culmination of a deliberative process. It emphasizes the action of reaching a mutually agreeable decision after considering various perspectives. As Ludwig confirms, it is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arrive at a consensus" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the process of reaching an agreement after discussion and deliberation. As noted by Ludwig, it is particularly common in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While there are several alternative phrases, such as ""reach an agreement"" or "find common ground", "arrive at a consensus" specifically emphasizes the active process of deliberation leading to a shared decision. It is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context reflects genuine discussion and input from all parties involved. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "arrive at a consensus" to convey the idea of agreement and shared understanding in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Emphasizes the outcome of reaching a mutual understanding.

come to an understanding

Highlights the process of gaining a shared perspective.

find common ground

Focuses on identifying areas of agreement amidst disagreement.

achieve unanimity

Implies complete agreement from all parties involved.

settle on a decision

Highlights the finality of the decision-making process.

forge a compromise

Suggests a negotiation process where concessions are made.

get on the same page

Informal phrase emphasizing shared understanding and alignment.

reach a mutual accord

Formal phrase highlighting the harmonious agreement.

develop a convergence of opinion

Highlights gradual alignment of viewpoints.

see eye to eye

Informal phrase indicating complete agreement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "arrive at a consensus" in a sentence?

Use "arrive at a consensus" to describe a situation where a group discusses different opinions before reaching an agreement. For instance, "After a lengthy debate, the committee was able to "reach an agreement" and arrive at a consensus".

What are some alternatives to "arrive at a consensus"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""reach an agreement"", "come to an understanding", or "find common ground" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to "arrive at a consensus" in a group setting?

While striving for consensus is often beneficial, it's not always feasible or necessary. In some situations, a majority vote or a decision by a designated leader may be more appropriate. However, aiming for consensus promotes inclusivity and shared ownership of decisions.

What's the difference between "arrive at a consensus" and "compromise"?

"Arrive at a consensus" implies a more unified agreement where everyone is on board, whereas "compromise" suggests that each party involved has made concessions, and the final decision may not fully satisfy everyone's initial preferences.