be agreed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"Be agreed upon" is a valid and usable phrase in written English. You can use it when you are referring to a mutual understanding that two or more people have come to a consensus on. For example, "The employees and management agreed to be a part of a common goal that would be agreed upon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These sources have to be agreed upon.

Knowledge-Based Systems

Arrangements for moving such hospitalized Israelis shall be agreed upon.

Yale University

The story should be agreed upon with the commander.

The New York Times

That's the advice that seems to be agreed upon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Any plan has to be agreed upon by the parties.

The New York Times

"An impartial plan must be agreed upon and enforced by nations who did not contribute to the strife". No, it must be agreed upon by the Syrian people.

Yale University

The dates will be agreed upon by you and your employer.

Princeton University

The terms of their employment shall be agreed upon by the two sides.

Yale University

(3) In such other place as may be agreed upon by the defendant and the ALJ.

Cornell University

Senior thesis expectations and grade will be agreed upon by student and their sponsoring faculty.

University of California, Berkeley

bear interest at such rate as may be agreed upon by the mortgagor and the mortgagee.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be agreed upon" when emphasizing that a decision or plan results from a mutual understanding or consensus. This can be particularly effective in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is agreed upon" when referring to multiple parties or elements. Ensure the verb "to be" agrees in number with the subject. For example, use "terms are agreed upon" instead of "terms is agreed upon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be agreed upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an agreement is reached by multiple parties. This passive voice construction emphasizes the outcome of a decision-making process rather than the actors involved, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

30%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be agreed upon" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a mutual understanding or consensus has been reached. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in academic, news, and professional settings. While versatile, it's essential to ensure proper subject-verb agreement and consider alternative phrasing based on the desired level of formality. The phrase enjoys frequent usage in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, solidifying its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to an agreement

This alternative emphasizes the result of the negotiation process.

be mutually decided

This alternative highlights the shared nature of the decision.

reach a consensus

This alternative focuses on the process of arriving at an agreement.

be settled upon

This alternative suggests a more definitive resolution.

be determined by consensus

This alternative emphasizes that consensus is the decision-making method.

be concurred upon

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes agreement.

be jointly approved

This alternative suggests a formal approval process from multiple parties.

be ratified

This alternative implies a formal validation or confirmation.

be stipulated

This alternative highlights that something has been specifically required as part of an agreement.

be sanctioned

This alternative indicates official authorization or approval.

FAQs

How can I use "be agreed upon" in a sentence?

You can use "be agreed upon" to indicate that something has been mutually decided or accepted. For example, "The terms of the contract must "be agreed upon" by both parties."

What are some alternatives to "be agreed upon"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reach a consensus", "come to an agreement", or "be mutually decided", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is agreed upon"?

The correctness of "is agreed upon" depends on the subject. It is correct when referring to a singular subject, e.g., "The date is agreed upon". However, for plural subjects, use "are agreed upon", e.g., "The dates are agreed upon."

What is the difference between "be agreed upon" and "be agreed on"?

"Be agreed upon" and "be agreed on" are often used interchangeably, but "be agreed upon" is generally considered more formal. Both indicate a mutual agreement, but the subtle difference in register might make one more suitable than the other depending on the context.