establish a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'establish a consensus' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you can use this phrase in a meeting to suggest that everyone come to an agreement on an issue: "Let's try to establish a consensus on this issue before we conclude the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I tried to envisage how to establish a consensus of Muslim opinion on this topic.

The Guardian

Taken together, all of us establish a "consensus" view on the markets.

Harvard Business Review

The government originally worked hard to establish a consensus on this bill, but without success.

The Guardian - Opinion

to establish a consensus of opinion on standards of competence for professionals attending upright breech births.

Midwifery

In this article, we propose some recommendations to establish a consensus on the indications for mitral valve repair.

Cardiocore

But the Democratic majority has been fractious, and the majority leader, Malcolm A. Smith, has not been able to establish a consensus on the authority bailout.

The New York Times

And yet for all their failings, the Globes are important in that they establish a consensus – setting up the main contenders for the protracted awards season that follows.

The Guardian - Film

Their purpose is to establish a consensus about the needs of an area and the actions needed to solve local and interlocal problems.

Britannica

It cast a pall over an international meeting in Bonn in June, where a fresh attempt is to be made to establish a consensus.

The Guardian

Once senior managers establish a consensus about the shape of things to come, they can fold that future into the present.

Harvard Business Review

"Rule one from the Canadian experience: ensure that there is an honest public debate about the challenge facing the country and then establish a consensus about the need for action".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a consensus, clearly define the scope of the issue to ensure focused discussion and avoid scope creep.

Common error

Don't mistake majority support for a true consensus. Ensure all voices are heard and addressed to avoid resentment and foster genuine agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a consensus" functions as a verb phrase where "establish" acts as the main verb and "a consensus" serves as the direct object. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is used to describe the action of creating or building an agreement within a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

8%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish a consensus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the process of building an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable across various registers, from professional settings to news reports. The phrase sees widespread use in scientific, news, and business contexts. Related phrases, such as "formulate a consensus" and "achieve a consensus", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with its own nuance. When using "establish a consensus", it is important to ensure all voices are heard and avoid mistaking majority support for a genuine consensus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a consensus

Focuses on the process of creating a consensus.

define a consensus

Emphasizes the clarification and setting boundaries of the consensus.

determine a consensus

Highlights the process of finding out the agreement.

achieve a consensus

Stresses the successful attainment of an agreement.

implement a consensus

Focuses on putting an existing agreement into action.

forge a consensus

Implies creating a consensus through effort and negotiation.

build a consensus

Focuses on constructing agreement over time, often with diverse opinions involved.

come to an agreement

Emphasizes the action of reaching mutual understanding and acceptance.

install a consensus

Suggests setting up a consensus as a standard procedure or practice.

reach a compromise

Highlights the aspect of mutual concessions and adjustments to get an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "establish a consensus" to describe the process of reaching an agreement among a group. For example: "The committee worked diligently to "establish a consensus" on the new policy."

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

"Establish a consensus" emphasizes the process of building agreement, while "reach a consensus" focuses on the final achievement of that agreement. They are often used interchangeably but have slightly different nuances.

What are some alternative phrases for "establish a consensus"?

Alternatives include "formulate a consensus", "define a consensus", or "achieve a consensus", depending on the specific aspect you want to highlight.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "establish a consensus"?

It's appropriate to use "establish a consensus" in situations where you need to describe the process of getting a group of people to agree on a decision or plan. This could be in business meetings, political negotiations, or community discussions.