by mutual consent

USAGE SUMMARY

"by mutual consent" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to express that both parties in a situation have agreed to something, or have agreed to a plan, decision or action. For example: "The parents and the school decided, by mutual consent, that the student should be excused for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The break was by mutual consent, officially.

The Economist

"We did this by mutual consent.

The New York Times

Mourinho's contract was annulled by mutual consent.

The New York Times - Sports

"It can only be terminated by mutual consent.

The Guardian - Music

He left Leeds "by mutual consent" three months ago.

The Guardian - Sport

When celibacy intervenes, it is usually not by mutual consent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Neil Lennon departed as manager by mutual consent shortly after.

The Guardian - Sport

Argentina San Lorenzoo, releasing keeper Pablo Migliore by mutual consent.

The Guardian - Sport

Accordingly, Mark's contract has ended amicably and by mutual consent.

The Guardian - Sport

That is supposed to happen by "mutual consent".

The Guardian

The treaty allows a five-year extension by mutual consent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by mutual consent" in formal documents or contracts, ensure that the context explicitly states who the involved parties are to avoid any potential misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "by mutual consent" when there are implied or unstated obligations. Ensure that all parties are fully aware of their responsibilities to prevent future disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by mutual consent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is carried out. It specifies that an action, such as ending a contract or making a decision, occurs because all parties involved have agreed to it. Ludwig AI validates this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by mutual consent" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that all parties involved have agreed to a particular action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. It's crucial to specify the involved parties for clarity and to ensure that all obligations are fully understood. Related phrases, like "by joint agreement" or "with unanimous approval", offer alternative ways to express agreement, each with slight nuances in formality and emphasis. Use "by mutual consent" to emphasize cooperation and avoid ambiguity in agreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by joint agreement

This alternative emphasizes the formal agreement aspect, suitable for legal or business contexts.

by common accord

This phrase is slightly more formal and suggests a harmonious agreement.

upon collective agreement

Emphasizes that the agreement is a result of a group decision.

with unanimous approval

This suggests that everyone involved agrees without any dissent.

with shared assent

This alternative highlights the act of assenting or agreeing, emphasizing individual consent.

subject to mutual approval

This indicates that the agreement is contingent upon both parties explicitly approving it.

with bilateral understanding

Highlights the understanding aspect between two parties, suggesting a deeper comprehension.

through collaborative consensus

Suggests a more involved process of reaching an agreement through collaboration.

by reciprocal arrangement

This implies that the agreement involves an exchange or give-and-take between the parties.

with convergent viewpoints

This alternative suggests that the agreement arises from the parties having similar perspectives.

FAQs

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

You can use "by mutual consent" to indicate that an agreement or decision was made with the agreement of all parties involved. For example, "The contract was terminated "by mutual consent"".

What's a formal way to say "by mutual consent"?

Formal alternatives include phrases like "by joint agreement" or "with unanimous approval", which are suitable for legal or business contexts.

Is it always necessary to specify the parties involved when using "by mutual consent"?

For clarity, it's best to specify the parties involved, especially in formal documents. This prevents ambiguity about who agreed to the decision or action. For instance, "The agreement between the company and the employee was terminated "by mutual consent"".

What does "by common accord" mean, and how does it differ from "by mutual consent"?

"By common accord" also indicates agreement but often implies a more harmonious or collective agreement. While "by mutual consent" simply means all parties agreed, "by common accord" suggests a shared sense of purpose or understanding in reaching that agreement.