as a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general agreement or collective opinion among a group of people. Example: "The committee reached a decision as a consensus, agreeing on the best course of action for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Former colleagues described Mr. Friedman as a consensus builder and strong manager.

The New York Times

Drafting standards commonly evolve as a consensus develops among professional practitioners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, he was described as a consensus builder and a mediator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Draghi has a reputation as a consensus builder — an important skill when running a central bank.Mr.Mr

The New York Times

He also said that "it is impossible that we agree on General Aoun as a consensus candidate".

The New York Times

She asked them what their passions were, and the atmosphere quickly became charged as a consensus grew around theater.

The New York Times

Would bring to the job: Twenty years of experience as an environmental regulator and a reputation as a consensus builder.

The New York Times

Still, even many Democratic leaders who do not back Mr. Kerry said he was emerging quickly as a consensus candidate.

The New York Times

As a consensus builds that rebuilding Lower Manhattan should emphasize public transit, everyone should be championing this change.

The New York Times

This year, when no film has emerged as a consensus favorite, the field is considered virtually wide open.

The New York Times

At times, Mr. Bush has portrayed himself as a consensus leader who has built upon the reforms of predecessors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates a group decision or agreement has been reached. This clarifies that the outcome is not based on individual opinion, but rather collective agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "as a consensus" when representing a single person's view or a small group's decision as a wider agreement. This can misrepresent the actual level of support and can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a consensus" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe how something was done or decided. It indicates that an action was taken based on a collective agreement, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a consensus" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies agreement and collective decision-making. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is commonly found in News & Media and scientific articles. While "as a consensus" is appropriate for describing situations where a group has reached an agreement, it should not be used to misrepresent individual opinions. Alternative phrases like "by mutual agreement" may be useful in certain contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by mutual agreement

This alternative suggests a formal agreement reached by all parties involved.

through collective agreement

This emphasizes that the agreement is achieved through a group effort.

upon common consent

This implies a more formal and unanimous agreement.

with unanimous approval

This highlights that the decision was supported by everyone without dissent.

by general accord

This suggests a widespread and harmonious agreement.

based on shared understanding

This emphasizes that the agreement stems from a common comprehension of the situation.

in accordance with collective opinion

This phrase focuses on the collective viewpoint that guides the decision.

following widespread concurrence

This suggests agreement is broad and extensive.

stemming from agreed principles

The agreement is built upon established rules or guidelines.

as a result of common assent

This formal phrase denotes agreement as a consequence of general approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a consensus" to describe decisions or outcomes reached through general agreement, such as "The committee decided on the new policy "as a consensus" after several rounds of discussion".

What are some alternatives to saying "as a consensus"?

Alternatives include phrases like "by mutual agreement", "through collective agreement", or "upon common consent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See more alternatives "by mutual agreement".

Is it grammatically correct to use "as a consensus"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It functions as a prepositional phrase describing the manner in which a decision or agreement was made.

What's the difference between "as a consensus" and "by majority vote"?

"As a consensus" implies that all or nearly all parties agree, whereas "by majority vote" indicates that more than 50% agree, but some may disagree. A decision reached "by majority vote" does not necessarily reflect overall agreement.