attain consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attain consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we need to attain consensus among all stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Nowadays only a handful of issues are debated in full session, usually those that can have opposing opinions, but the vast majority are negotiated responsibly in committee, the aim being to attain consensus for the collective good.

The Guardian - Opinion

For planning in Japan, we developed a visualization tool to attain consensus on townscape design within local planning committees.

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

This first ecumenical council was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.

Wikipedia

Even there, it may be difficult to attain consensus.

Astrobiology

When the disagreement persisted, two other senior investigators (K-YH, K-DW) were consulted to attain consensus.

British Medical Journal

When interpretations differed, the chest radiograph and the description by the radiologist were reviewed to attain consensus.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Three physicians reviewed the charts of all patients for whom diagnostic uncertainty remained and attained consensus on the final diagnosis.

Plosone

Three physicians reviewed the charts of all patients with diagnostic uncertainty and attained consensus on the final diagnosis.

Plosone

This index attains consensus values between 0 (perfect disagreement) and 1 (perfect agreement).

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

If the ratio between the IPRAS and the IPR was higher than one, the item attained consensus.

BMC Geriatrics

Discordant observations were resolved by attaining consensus, and when this could not be achieved, the core was omitted from the analysis (n=11, ∼3%).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for inclusivity, use "attain consensus" to emphasize the active process of getting everyone on board. It highlights the effort involved in gathering diverse viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "attain consensus" when agreement is superficial or forced. Genuine consensus requires voluntary agreement, not just compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain consensus" functions as a verb phrase where "attain" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("consensus"). It indicates the action of successfully reaching an agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attain consensus" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of reaching a shared agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness, particularly in scientific, news-related, and formal contexts. While alternatives like "reach consensus" or "achieve consensus" exist, "attain consensus" emphasizes the effort and progression towards agreement. Though not overly common, its presence in reputable sources indicates its suitability for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach consensus

This alternative is more common and conveys the idea of arriving at an agreement.

achieve consensus

This alternative emphasizes the successful completion of the consensus-building process.

secure agreement

This alternative shifts the focus to the agreement itself rather than the process of reaching it.

forge a consensus

This suggests a more active and deliberate effort to create an agreement.

develop a consensus

This implies a gradual process of building agreement over time.

find common ground

This focuses on discovering shared beliefs or interests to facilitate agreement.

come to an understanding

This emphasizes the shared comprehension achieved through discussion and negotiation.

establish accord

This suggests a formal or official agreement.

arrive at a settlement

This focuses on resolving differences through compromise and agreement.

build unity

This shifts the focus to creating a sense of togetherness and agreement within a group.

FAQs

What does "attain consensus" mean?

"Attain consensus" means to successfully reach a general agreement or shared understanding among a group of people, especially after discussion or debate.

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

You might say, "The committee worked diligently to "reach consensus" on the new policy" or "It was challenging to "achieve consensus" given the diverse opinions on the matter".

Is it better to say "attain consensus" or "achieve consensus"?

Both "attain consensus" and ""achieve consensus"" are correct, but "achieve consensus" is slightly more common. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "attain" suggests a gradual process, while "achieve" highlights the successful outcome.

What are some alternatives to "attain consensus"?

Some alternatives include "reach agreement", "find common ground", or "come to an understanding", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.