attaining consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attaining consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. Example: "The committee spent several hours in discussion, focusing on attaining consensus regarding the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And it is in this step that the Japanese aim at attaining "consensus". Indeed, it is this step that, to the Japanese, is the essence of the decision.

Harvard Business Review

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Two of 9 scenarios attained consensus for code status (97%-98% responses) and treatment decisions (96%-99%).

Stanford University

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

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

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

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

Wikipedia

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

Even there, it may be difficult to attain consensus.

Astrobiology

Whilst most concepts identified as barriers to participation attained consensus in Rounds 2 and 3, there were some barriers that did not attain consensus in Round, and were omitted from Round 3 of the study.

BMC Nursing

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

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attaining consensus", consider the specific context to determine if a more precise alternative like "reaching agreement" or "achieving unanimity" would be more appropriate.

Common error

While "attaining consensus" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in contexts where simpler phrases like "agreeing" or "concurring" would be more accessible and direct for your audience.

Linguistic Context

"Attaining consensus" functions as a verb phrase + noun, describing the action of reaching an agreement within a group. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. Examples show its application in various contexts, often involving decision-making or problem-solving scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attaining consensus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the process of reaching a shared agreement. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for written English, and examples show its usage across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "reaching agreement" or "achieving unanimity" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be mindful of the audience and context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of formality and clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, making it a versatile choice for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaching agreement

Focuses on the outcome of the process, which is agreement.

achieving unanimity

Emphasizes complete agreement from everyone involved.

arriving at a consensus

Indicates the final point in the process of reaching agreement.

forging consensus

Highlights the effort and process of building agreement.

building agreement

Focuses on constructing agreement over time.

developing a consensus

Stresses the gradual evolution of agreement.

securing agreement

Highlights the act of obtaining agreement.

finding common ground

Focuses on discovering shared beliefs or opinions.

getting everyone on board

Emphasizes the inclusion and agreement of all participants.

harmonizing views

Highlights the alignment of different opinions.

FAQs

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

You can use "attaining consensus" to describe the process of a group reaching a shared agreement. For example: "The committee focused on attaining consensus before making a final decision".

What can I say instead of "attaining consensus"?

You can use alternatives like "reaching agreement", "achieving unanimity", or "building agreement" depending on the specific context.

Is "attaining consensus" formal or informal?

"Attaining consensus" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal settings.

What is the difference between "attaining consensus" and "achieving consensus"?

While both phrases are very similar, "attaining consensus" emphasizes the process of achieving agreement, whereas "achieving consensus" focuses more on the end result.