compromise on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compromise on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when discussing the act of making concessions or finding a middle ground on a particular issue or topic. Example: "In order to reach an agreement, both parties had to compromise on something they initially disagreed about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's never easy to compromise on something we have always depended on like the Rupert River," Chief Longchap said.

The New York Times

This is why Republican politicians find it difficult to compromise on something like the debt ceiling, even when it might seem they have substantial incentive to do so.

The New York Times

"It's hard for us to compromise on something in the middle," said Ziad Abdel Tawab, the deputy director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, which has collaborated with other rights groups in protesting the measures.

Independent

Both compare the act of translation to that of betrayal, and of course there's a sense in which any translation – let alone one that has to fit pre-ordained rhythmic or metrical structures as closely as possible – has to compromise on something.

The Guardian - Music

"How do you compromise on something as stark a reality as the fact that 90% of the deaths in Northern Ireland were caused by terrorism and Dr Haass can't even bring himself to acknowledge that?" he said.

BBC

Lou, it sounds as though the expectations of others represent an added pressure for you, which I hope won't persuade you to compromise on something that is important to you.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Just because he compromised on something that you've been frantically tweeting about doesn't mean it's time to pitch a tantrum and hurl the board game across the room -- storming off in a snit.

Huffington Post

Democrats in Congress have been meeting for two weeks to try to work out a compromise on immunity — something short of an all-or-nothing approach.

The New York Times

I could see a compromise being worked out on this one, something along the lines of "the tax rate for the top incomes will rise -- but not up to where they were under Clinton -- while deductions for the over-$250K set will be limited in some way".

Huffington Post

Here's how.

Huffington Post

These were the voters who remained with Ted Cruz to the bitter end and see compromise on moral issues as something akin to surrender or betrayal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compromise on something" to suggest a balanced solution where each party involved needs to give up something to reach a agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "compromise on something" when a situation requires a complete surrender or acceptance of one party's terms. Compromise implies mutual concessions, not unilateral acquiescence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compromise on something" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates the act of making concessions or adjustments regarding a specific matter, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compromise on something" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase indicating the act of making concessions to reach an agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and BBC. While not extremely frequent, it is commonly found in news, wiki, and science contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify what is being compromised. Remember that compromise involves mutual concessions, not unilateral acceptance. Alternatives include "make concessions regarding something" or "find a middle ground on something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make concessions regarding something

This alternative focuses on the act of yielding or granting something, often to reach an agreement.

meet halfway on something

This suggests finding a middle ground or making equal concessions.

find a middle ground on something

This emphasizes the discovery of a position acceptable to all parties.

reach an agreement about something

This shifts the focus to the outcome of compromise: the agreement itself.

find common ground on something

This suggests discovering shared interests or beliefs as a basis for agreement.

give and take on something

This highlights the reciprocal nature of compromise, with each party offering concessions.

adjust expectations regarding something

This focuses on modifying one's own desires or predictions.

be flexible on something

This emphasizes a willingness to adapt or change one's position.

make allowances for something

This centers on accepting or tolerating something, often with reservations.

accommodate something

This highlights the process of adjusting to fit something or someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "compromise on something" in a sentence?

You can use "compromise on something" to indicate that parties involved in a negotiation or disagreement need to make concessions. For example, "They had to compromise on something to finalize the deal".

What is an alternative to "compromise on something"?

Alternatives include "make concessions regarding something", "meet halfway on something", or "find a middle ground on something".

When is it not appropriate to use "compromise on something"?

It's not appropriate when one party is unwilling to yield or when the issue is non-negotiable. In such cases, terms like "accept the terms" or "yield completely" might be more suitable.

Is "compromise on something" formal or informal?

"Compromise on something" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.