come to terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"come to terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea of reaching an understanding or agreement about something. For example, "The two parties were able to come to terms on a new contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One star did come to terms Saturday.

The New York Times

Athens, however, refused to come to terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Have you come to terms with this?

Princeton University

I couldn't come to terms with it.

Independent

"He has come to terms with practice.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to come to terms with".

The Guardian - Music

They've never come to terms with this".

The New York Times

I'd totally come to terms with that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I have come to terms with it.

The Guardian - Sport

Do the brothers finally come to terms?

The New Yorker

Kath and Ed have come to terms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "come to terms" can also mean accepting a difficult or unpleasant situation. In such cases, it means finding a way to live with something that cannot be changed.

Common error

Avoid using "come to terms" when you mean "in terms of". The latter is used to specify the aspect being considered (e.g., "In terms of cost, it's a good deal"), while "come to terms" refers to reaching an agreement or accepting a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to terms" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of reaching an agreement or accepting a situation. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, confirming its role in expressing resolution or acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come to terms" is a versatile phrase used to describe reaching an agreement or accepting a difficult reality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news, academic, and formal business settings, indicating its appropriateness for neutral and professional communication. When using "come to terms", remember it describes either reaching a resolution between parties or personally accepting a challenging situation. Remember to distinguish it from the similar-sounding but distinct phrase "in terms of". With its common usage and clear meaning, mastering "come to terms" will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reach an agreement

Focuses specifically on the act of agreeing, omitting the nuance of acceptance.

Settle a dispute

Highlights the resolution of a conflict rather than general understanding.

Get to an understanding

Highlights the process of understanding as a key element of agreement.

Come to a settlement

Implies a formal or legal resolution.

Find common ground

Emphasizes shared interests or beliefs as the basis for agreement.

Find a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to reach an agreement.

Accept the reality

Shifts the focus from negotiation to accepting a situation.

Reconcile oneself to

Implies a personal acceptance or adjustment to a situation.

Make peace with

Suggests an emotional resolution or acceptance of something difficult.

Get used to

Emphasizes adaptation and habituation to a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "come to terms" to describe reaching an agreement, as in "After lengthy negotiations, the company and the union "came to terms"". It can also mean accepting a difficult situation, like "She had to "come to terms with" her illness".

What is a good substitute for "come to terms"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "reach an agreement", "settle a dispute", or "accept the reality" as alternatives to "come to terms".

Is it correct to say "coming to terms"?

Yes, "coming to terms" is the present participle form and is perfectly correct. For example, "She is still "coming to terms with" her loss".

What's the difference between "come to terms with" and "in terms of"?

"Come to terms with" means to gradually accept a situation, while "in terms of" introduces a specific aspect or viewpoint for consideration. For instance, "He had to "come to terms with" his new responsibilities", versus "In terms of salary, the job is very attractive".