by common agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by common agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is accepted or decided upon by a consensus among a group of people. Example: "The changes to the policy were implemented by common agreement among all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

They emerge by common agreement from how they symbolize history.

The Guardian - Opinion

By common agreement, Germany's infrastructure — physical and technological — need renewing.

The New York Times

By common agreement, the FCO blog from Zimbabwe is regarded as the best example of the new genre.

The Guardian - Tech

"Over the years other competences have come within the field of EU law … by common agreement of EU states.

The Guardian

While in power, Mr. Kissinger was by common agreement a master of keeping much of his diplomacy secret.

The New York Times

By common agreement, the national infrastructure — road, rail, bridges and the broadband Internet — sorely needs attention and investment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

An agreement, by common accord, preserves the interests of both parties.

The Guardian - Sport

In [10], a fingerprint is binded with a common agreement by producing the signature of a trusted watermark certification authority (WCA), and the transaction of digital contents is uniquely associated with a log file.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

There is common agreement, shared by the national team coaches as well as the clubs, that the so-called August friendly fixture date serves no good sporting cause.

The New York Times - Sports

This session included a short theoretical lecture followed by small-group discussion and common agreement among the groups.

BMC Family Practice

And by the late 1970s, there'd be common agreement: cancer is a genetic disease.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by common agreement" to clearly indicate that a decision, understanding, or acceptance is shared among a group, ensuring clarity and shared responsibility.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid using "by common agreement" in extremely casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "everyone agrees" or "we all think" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by common agreement" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb or clause. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It indicates the manner in which an action is performed or a decision is made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by common agreement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys consensus or shared understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It's most commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. For more casual conversations, consider simpler alternatives. To enhance clarity in your writing, use "by common agreement" when highlighting the collective nature of a decision or acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by general agreement

Replaces "common" with "general", emphasizing widespread rather than collective agreement.

by mutual agreement

Substitutes "common" with "mutual", highlighting the reciprocal nature of the agreement.

by common consent

Uses "consent" instead of "agreement", focusing on permission or approval.

by common accord

Replaces "agreement" with "accord", emphasizing harmony or concord.

by joint agreement

Emphasizes that the agreement is formed between two or more parties acting together.

by shared understanding

Focuses on the understanding aspect rather than the formal agreement.

by unanimous agreement

Emphasizes complete agreement with no dissent.

by collective decision

Highlights the group aspect of the decision-making process.

with everyone in agreement

Shifts the phrase to a clause structure, focusing on the state of agreement.

by consensual decision-making

More formal and emphasizes a process of decision-making.

FAQs

How can I use "by common agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "by common agreement" to indicate that a decision or understanding is shared among a group. For example: "By common agreement, the project deadline was extended."

What are some alternatives to "by common agreement"?

Alternatives include "by general agreement", "by mutual agreement", or "by common consent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by common agreement" formal or informal?

"By common agreement" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal situations, simpler phrases like "everyone agrees" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "by common agreement" and "by common accord"?

While similar, "by common agreement" emphasizes the act of agreeing, whereas "by common accord" highlights the resulting state of harmony or concord.