by common consent

USAGE SUMMARY

"by common consent" is a correct phrase in written English and can be used to describe when multiple people come to an agreement about something.
Example: The teacher and the students quickly agreed on the rules by common consent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BY COMMON consent, 1997 was a grand year for the British economy.

The Economist

By common consent, this needs strengthening.

The Economist

It was recently sold by common consent.

The New Yorker

By common consent, this has not been a vintage year.

The Guardian - Film

By common consent, we have not figured it out yet.

The New York Times

AMERICA is, by common consent, the world's most energetic democracy.

The Economist

And, by common consent, the mood on boards is different.

The Economist

Collectives can be broken up only by common consent.

The Economist

Qingdao was, by common consent, the worst sailing venue the Olympics has likely ever seen.

The Guardian - Sport

By common consent, the most generous stall is the one run by the Trades Union Congress.

The Guardian - Opinion

By common consent, Waltham Forest has not done this effectively for some years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by common consent" when you want to emphasize that an opinion, decision, or fact is widely accepted and agreed upon by a group of people. It adds a sense of authority and shared understanding to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by common consent" in extremely casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "everyone agrees" or "generally speaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by common consent" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action, belief, or decision is based on widespread agreement. Ludwig shows that this phrase introduces commonly accepted facts and perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by common consent" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to denote widespread agreement or acceptance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is suitable for formal contexts. Its presence is most notable within news and media, followed by encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context matches its formal tone. Should you need alternatives, "by general agreement" or "by general consensus" provide similar meaning. The phrase serves to lend authority and credibility by signaling a broadly supported viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by general agreement

Emphasizes a broad level of agreement, similar to "by common consent".

by general consensus

Similar to "by general agreement", but emphasizes a collective opinion.

by universal agreement

Suggests that everyone agrees, indicating complete unanimity.

by unanimous agreement

Highlights that there are no dissenting opinions.

by common accord

A more formal way of saying "by common consent", indicating a harmonious agreement.

by mutual understanding

Focuses on the shared understanding that leads to an agreement.

widely accepted

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of an idea or practice.

by popular belief

Indicates that something is widely believed to be true.

as a rule

Refers to something that generally occurs or is true.

in general

Indicates a widespread or common situation or belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "by common consent" to indicate that something is widely agreed upon. For example, "By common consent, the movie was the best of the year."

What can I say instead of "by common consent"?

You can use alternatives like "by general agreement", "by universal agreement", or "by general consensus" depending on the context.

Is "by common consent" formal or informal?

"By common consent" is considered a relatively formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news-related contexts. In very informal settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "by common consent" and "by mutual consent"?

"By common consent" refers to a general agreement among a group of people, while "by mutual consent" indicates an agreement between two or more specific parties. The former implies a broader acceptance, while the latter implies a specific agreement.