consensus about

USAGE SUMMARY

'consensus about' is a perfectly valid and usable expression in written English.
It is used to denote agreement among a group of people about a certain issue. For example, "After much discussion, there was a consensus about the need for a more expansive health insurance program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no consensus about historical status.

The New York Times - Books

But there the consensus about him ends.

The Economist

A consensus about antibiotic prophylaxis is needed.

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery

And yet there's no consensus about what caused this bubble.

The New York Times

Now, in this town, there's a near consensus about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no consensus about many of the questions raised.

The New York Times

But there is little consensus about student come-ons.

The New York Times

There's less consensus about what ground is actually being broken.

The Guardian - Film

There was no consensus about al-Ḥallāj, however.

Britannica

But there's no consensus about what to do about it.

The Washington Post

These attempts are a result of an often-implicit theoretical consensus about the nature of technology.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure the subject of the "consensus about" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the consensus about the budget" rather than just "the consensus".

Common error

Don't use "consensus about" when you mean "majority vote". "Consensus" implies everyone agrees, while "majority" means more than half agree, but not necessarily all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consensus about" functions as a noun phrase complement. It indicates the subject or topic around which a general agreement or shared understanding exists. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consensus about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies general agreement or shared understanding on a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across diverse contexts, from scientific literature to news reporting. While "consensus on" is another common alternative, "consensus about" provides a clear and acceptable way to express the idea of collective agreement. When using this phrase, be sure that a true consensus exists. In short, ensure you’re not merely describing a majority viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreement regarding

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the agreement concerning a specific topic.

general agreement on

This emphasizes a widespread agreement rather than a specific consensus-building process.

shared understanding of

Focuses on mutual comprehension and shared knowledge, not necessarily explicit agreement.

common view on

Highlights a prevailing opinion, suggesting a less formal or structured agreement.

unanimity concerning

This suggests complete agreement, leaving no room for dissenting opinions.

broad accord regarding

Similar to "general agreement", but implies a more formal or official context.

prevailing sentiment on

Emphasizes the dominant feeling or attitude, rather than a reasoned agreement.

accepted view of

Indicates that a particular perspective has become commonly accepted or adopted.

collective opinion on

This emphasizes that the opinion is shared by a group or community.

prevailing wisdom on

Implies that the consensus is based on knowledge or understanding gained over time.

FAQs

How to use "consensus about" in a sentence?

You can use "consensus about" to indicate a general agreement on a particular topic. For example, "There is a growing "consensus about" the need for climate action".

What can I say instead of "consensus about"?

You can use alternatives like "agreement regarding", "general agreement on", or "shared understanding of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "consensus about" or "consensus on"?

"Consensus about" and "consensus on" are both acceptable, but "consensus on" is more common. Both phrases indicate a general agreement, but "consensus on" may sound more natural to some English speakers.

What's the difference between "consensus about" and "agreement on"?

"Consensus about" implies a more thorough process of discussion and reaching a mutual understanding, while "agreement on" simply indicates that people share the same view without necessarily emphasizing the process of reaching that view.