develop a common understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a common understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of reaching a mutual agreement or shared perspective among individuals or groups. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we need to develop a common understanding of our goals and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

To support this work, we engaged faculty members in a multiyear assessment-development program that served to develop a common understanding and vocabulary among participants and provided a collective context for them to develop effective assessment approaches specific to their curricular projects.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The profession, in collaboration with patients, needs to develop a common understanding of the concept; we need to understand the epidemiology of patient safety in dentistry in different contexts.

BMC Oral Health

To this end, the various stakeholders can develop a common understanding in their MD processes.

Procedia CIRP

Under these conditions, it is important for the parties to develop a common understanding of the benefits of price restraint.

Harvard University

In any case they require a lot of negotiation and consensus building in order to develop a common understanding of the project at each phase among main stakeholders.

Yale University

Second, the United States should intensify dialogue with our Arab and Israeli allies to develop a common understanding about how to contend with an economically strengthened Iran in the wake of a nuclear deal.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Problem-solving involves developing a common understanding of that need and of all its implications.

Harvard Business Review

He added: "This is a good example of the major economies of the world coming together and developing a common understanding".

The Guardian

This includes: Training of local managers; Developing a common understanding of all stakeholder concerns; Direct feedback to the board and public reporting of results.

The Guardian

He added: "This is a good example of the major economies of the world coming together and developing a common understanding". Greenpeace's executive director, John Sauven, said: "Tacking climate change on to the end of the communique as an after thought does not demonstrate anything like the seriousness we needed to see.

The Guardian

The rhino poaching problem is even more complex than was initially thought and this paper serves as a reflective piece on how the research methodology for the complex and poorly understood rhino poaching problem was shifted towards developing a common understanding of major drivers and interactions, to allow for pre-emptive action on a variety of fronts.

Futures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating a collaborative project, prioritize time for team members to "develop a common understanding" of the project's goals and individual roles. This upfront investment fosters better communication and reduces misunderstandings later on.

Common error

Avoid jumping into tasks without ensuring everyone involved has the same baseline knowledge. Failure to "develop a common understanding" early can lead to duplicated efforts, conflicting strategies and increased possibility of failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a common understanding" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action or process. It signifies the creation of shared knowledge or perspective among individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

24%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop a common understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse fields such as science, academia, news and business. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It describes the process of creating shared knowledge among individuals. The phrase aims to promote better communication, cooperation, and decision-making and it is generally neutral in register. When using the phrase, it is recommended to ensure all parties have aligned knowledge to ensure effective work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a shared perspective

Focuses on establishing a viewpoint rather than just understanding.

foster mutual comprehension

Emphasizes the act of fostering or promoting understanding.

cultivate a unified interpretation

Highlights the cultivation of a single, agreed-upon interpretation.

reach a consensus

Implies reaching an agreement or collective decision.

build a collective viewpoint

Focuses on constructing a combined perspective.

forge a shared awareness

Suggests actively forging or creating a shared understanding.

achieve mutual agreement

Focuses on reaching an agreement rather than just understanding.

gain a collective insight

Emphasizes gaining a shared understanding or perspective.

form a unified consensus

Highlights the formation of a single, agreed-upon consensus.

promote shared knowledge

Emphasizes the promotion and dissemination of shared understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a common understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a common understanding" to describe the process of reaching a shared perspective or agreement, as in "The team needs to "develop a common understanding" of the project's objectives before proceeding".

What are some alternatives to "develop a common understanding"?

Alternatives include "establish a shared perspective", "foster mutual comprehension", or "reach a consensus", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "develop a common understanding" and "develop a mutual understanding"?

While both phrases are similar, "develop a common understanding" often implies a broader base of shared knowledge within a group, whereas "develop a mutual understanding" may refer to a shared understanding between two parties or individuals. They are interchangeable in most contexts.

Is it better to "develop a common understanding" or "establish a common understanding"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Develop a common understanding" implies a process of growth, while "establish a common understanding" suggests setting a firm foundation. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis.