consensus of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consensus of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general agreement or shared comprehension among a group of people regarding a particular topic or issue. Example: "After much discussion, we reached a consensus of understanding about the project's goals and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The face validity procedure was arranged so that the population of widows could answer the questions appropriately, and that there was a consensus of understanding and subjective interpretation of the questions among the widows.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Still, there is some consensus among scholars that Aristotle proposes three ways of understanding categories: as realities, concepts, and linguistic terms.

SEP

Most athletes are changed in terms of understanding the obligation to respect everyone's opinion and to try to reach consensus".

The New York Times - Sports

We need to build on the scientific consensus and improvement in health are access and be willing to engage with those who are ignorant yet desirous of understanding.

Huffington Post

Instead of understanding, Wilde lampoons.

The New Yorker

Puig showed signs of understanding.

Los Angeles Times

Failure of understanding.

Unicef

Different groups form consensus on understandings of different doctrines about The Sacraments, The Triune God (versus Arian Belief concerning God), pastor, order of services, offices of bishop, presbyter and such, deacon, marriage, healing, prophesies, praying to saints, speaking unknown tongues, formalities, rituals, written prayers, or informality, pray as the Spirit of God gives utterance, etc.

WikiHow

Such studies have been inconsistent in their procedures for measuring GC physiology and there is still a lack of consensus and understanding of the effects of enrichment on GCs [37], [38].

Plosone

These findings indicate a lack of consensus and understanding of the definition of pre-emptive therapy.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Research on the correlates of health literacy appears to have been hampered by a lack of a consensus understanding of the nature and scope of the term.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and agreement in a formal setting, use "consensus of understanding" to highlight that a shared comprehension has been reached. This is especially useful after discussions involving complex or nuanced topics.

Common error

Avoid using "consensus of understanding" in informal contexts. Phrases like "shared understanding" or "common ground" may be more appropriate in casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consensus of understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It denotes a state of shared agreement and comprehension among a group.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consensus of understanding" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to express a shared agreement reached through mutual comprehension. Though classified as "correct" by Ludwig AI, its frequency is rare. It tends to appear in formal contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and business domains, aiming to emphasize clarity and alignment. Simpler alternatives include "shared understanding" and "common understanding". When writing, reserve "consensus of understanding" for situations where emphasizing shared comprehension within a formal agreement is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared understanding

Focuses on the shared aspect of comprehension, omitting the formal agreement implied by "consensus".

common understanding

Highlights the shared nature of the understanding, similar to "shared understanding".

mutual agreement

Emphasizes the agreement aspect, potentially downplaying the depth of comprehension.

unified perspective

Focuses on a single, cohesive viewpoint resulting from shared understanding.

collective agreement

Emphasizes group agreement rather than deep comprehension.

concordant comprehension

More formal and emphasizes agreement in understanding.

meeting of minds

More idiomatic, suggesting a convergence of perspectives.

general concurrence

Highlights the agreement without emphasizing the depth of understanding.

joint interpretation

Emphasizes a shared interpretation, highlighting collaboration.

harmonious interpretation

Suggests a pleasing agreement in how something is understood.

FAQs

How can I use "consensus of understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "consensus of understanding" to indicate a shared agreement and comprehension, as in, "After lengthy negotiations, the parties reached a consensus of understanding regarding the terms of the agreement."

What's a simpler way to say "consensus of understanding"?

Alternatives to "consensus of understanding" include "shared understanding", "common understanding", or "mutual agreement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "consensus of understanding" redundant?

While "consensus" often implies understanding, using "consensus of understanding" emphasizes that the agreement is based on a shared comprehension of the matter at hand.

What is the difference between "consensus of understanding" and "agreement on understanding"?

While similar, "consensus of understanding" suggests a broader agreement reached by a group, whereas "agreement on understanding" can refer to a more specific or individual alignment of comprehension.