came to terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came to terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has reached an agreement or has accepted a situation after some negotiation or consideration. Example: "After several discussions, they finally came to terms regarding the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Just came to terms with the Colts.

The New York Times

He never came to terms with it.

The Guardian - Sport

I never came to terms with it.

The Guardian - Sport

I came to terms with my illness.

The Guardian - Opinion

She never came to terms with losing the leadership.

The Guardian

Saʿd ibn Zangī came to terms with the Khwārezm-Shahs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

There were 16 pregnancies of which two came to term.

Science Magazine

Athens, however, refused to come to terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One star did come to terms Saturday.

The New York Times

"Syria comes to terms.

The New Yorker

/ Or coming to terms without.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional acceptance, "came to terms with" is appropriate. For formal agreements, consider "reached an agreement" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "came to terms with" when you mean simply "agreed". The phrase implies a prior disagreement or difficulty that has been resolved, not just a simple concurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to terms" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often followed by "with" and a noun phrase. It indicates the action of reaching an agreement or accepting a situation after some form of negotiation, conflict, or internal struggle. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

7%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came to terms" is a versatile expression denoting agreement, acceptance, or resolution, with a subtle implication of prior difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig. When describing simple agreement, consider alternatives like "reached an agreement", but for situations involving negotiation or emotional acceptance, "came to terms" is highly appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached an agreement

This alternative emphasizes the formal act of agreeing, suitable for business or legal contexts.

came to an understanding

Emphasizes a shared comprehension of the matter.

arrived at a compromise

This suggests mutual concessions were made to reach a settlement.

struck a deal

Suggests a bargain or agreement was made, often in a business setting.

settled the dispute

This phrase focuses on ending a disagreement or conflict.

found common ground

This highlights the discovery of shared interests or beliefs.

reached a consensus

Implies a general agreement among a group.

made peace

Suggests the end of hostilities or conflict.

accepted the situation

Focuses on acknowledging and adapting to circumstances.

reconciled with

Indicates a restoration of friendly relations.

FAQs

What does "came to terms" mean?

"Came to terms" generally means to reach an agreement or acceptance after a period of discussion, negotiation, or struggle. It can refer to business deals or emotional acceptance.

How can I use "came to terms" in a sentence?

You might say, "After weeks of negotiation, the company "came to terms" with the union" or "She finally "came to terms" with her past".

What's the difference between "reached an agreement" and "came to terms"?

"Reached an agreement" is a more general term for any kind of accord. "Came to terms" implies that there was some initial disagreement or difficulty that had to be overcome before an agreement could be reached. Therefore, consider using "reached an agreement" when there isn't a negotiation.

What are some alternative phrases for "came to terms"?

Alternatives include "reached a compromise", "settled the dispute", "found common ground", or "accepted the situation", depending on the specific context.