develop a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. Example: "In our next meeting, we need to develop a consensus on the project's direction to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Delphi process used to develop a consensus document for implementation and focus groups and interviews preceded the development of user-friendly information regarding interventions in clinical practice.

BMC Health Services Research

Different ontology development initiatives (e.g. http://www.obofoundry.org/, http://bioportal.bioontology.org/) try to develop a consensus on these issues but currently no overarching "life science" data model can be defined.

BMC Systems Biology

It is hard to develop a consensus here; different people have differing amounts of risk aversion.

The Economist

President Bush would be wise to develop a consensus with his Mexican counterpart on a broad array of hemispheric issues.

The New York Times

Now, officials at the agency and the airlines said, they will develop a consensus about detour routes and delays.

The New York Times

Normally it would take at least a year to develop a consensus from all of the people in a community".

The New York Times

His critics, primarily those who represent athletes on the U.S.O.C.'s board, contended that Blake's autocratic, inflexible management style made it impossible to develop a consensus.

The New York Times - Sports

She said she hoped to develop a consensus, but the sharply differing views voiced by the two sides make that seem unlikely.

The New York Times

But the next step in the west's collective defensive strategy is to develop a consensus about what, legally, constitutes an act of cyberwar.

The Guardian - Tech

It took decades to develop a consensus within the medical community that even ordinary science conducted by well-meaning researchers can lead to unintended harm.

MIT Technology Review

But he added that he was not yet ready to move forward with legislation, telling the audience that he intended to explore the issues and develop a consensus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for collaboration, use "develop a consensus" to emphasize the process of building shared understanding. For instance, in project management, it highlights the importance of team members actively participating in shaping the final decision.

Common error

Avoid assuming a consensus has been reached simply because a discussion occurred. Ensure active participation and explicit agreement from all parties involved to validate that a true shared understanding exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a consensus" functions as a verb phrase that describes the process of reaching an agreement or shared understanding within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

56%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a consensus" is a widely used and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies the process of reaching an agreement or shared understanding within a group. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its frequent usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, media and academia. While alternatives like "reach an agreement" or "build a consensus" exist, each carries slightly different nuances. Understanding these differences allows for more precise and effective communication, emphasizing either the process or the outcome depending on the intended message. When using this phrase, remember to prioritize genuine agreement over mere discussion to ensure a true shared understanding is achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of the process, emphasizing the final agreement rather than the development.

build a consensus

Emphasizes the gradual and constructive nature of the process.

forge a consensus

Implies a more active and determined effort to create a consensus.

achieve common ground

Focuses on finding shared beliefs or understanding, rather than a formal agreement.

foster agreement

Highlights the act of encouraging and nurturing agreement among parties.

cultivate accord

Suggests a careful and deliberate process of creating harmony and agreement.

find a common understanding

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of reaching a shared perspective.

establish mutual understanding

Highlights the creation of a shared comprehension between parties.

form a united front

Implies a collective agreement to act together towards a common goal.

harmonize perspectives

Focuses on aligning different viewpoints to create a harmonious consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a consensus" to describe the process of reaching an agreement. For example, "The committee needs to "develop a consensus" on the new budget proposal.".

What are some alternatives to "develop a consensus"?

Alternatives include "reach an agreement", "build a consensus", or "forge a consensus", each with slight nuances in meaning.

What's the difference between "develop a consensus" and "reach a consensus"?

"Develop a consensus" emphasizes the process of building an agreement, while "reach a consensus" focuses on the outcome, the final agreement itself. You can also use "achieve a consensus".

Is it always necessary to "develop a consensus" in a group setting?

While desirable, it's not always necessary. In situations requiring quick decisions or when a clear authority exists, a decision might be made without striving for complete consensus. However, aiming to "develop a consensus" promotes inclusivity and buy-in.