establish common ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"establish common ground" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when two people or groups need to come to an agreement or understanding. For example, "The two sides needed to establish common ground before they could reach a resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It's effective to establish common ground.

The New Yorker

It's been very difficult to establish "common ground" across the dispatch box, he says.

The Guardian

There's nothing like junk foods, emblems of our shared pop culture, to create a conversation and establish common ground.

The New York Times

Whatever disagreements they have about trade and security, Trump and Abe will find it easier to establish common ground when it comes to dealing with Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian

Downing Street said the purpose of the talks would not be to outline a series of demands but to try to establish common ground among member states.

Independent

Unless you gather everyone around the table with interlocutors who are accepted by all parties, and establish common ground, there will never be peace in the Middle East.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"First, we're establishing common ground and a new terminology.

The New Yorker

8. Labour politicians don't seem remotely interested in establishing common ground with the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

Police officers are rigorously trained in firing weapons and apprehending suspects but not in establishing common ground with people who have had different experiences.

The New Yorker

Incorporating conceptual models and grounding your ideas within the disciplines establishes common ground with diverse reviewers.

Science Magazine

At the same time, over the years my confidence has grown in the group's ability to re-establish common ground continuously - against all odds, and despite political, economic and cultural differences.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating a negotiation or discussion, use "establish common ground" early to set a collaborative tone and focus on shared objectives.

Common error

Don't assume common ground automatically exists. Actively work to identify shared interests and values before diving into contentious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish common ground" functions as a verbal phrase. It describes the action of creating a basis for mutual understanding or agreement between individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish common ground" is a grammatically sound and useful expression that describes the process of building mutual understanding. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. It's particularly relevant in negotiations and collaborations, setting a positive tone for cooperation. Remember to actively seek out shared interests instead of assuming they exist. Alternatives such as "find common ground" or "reach a consensus" can provide nuanced ways to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find common ground

Replaces "establish" with "find", focusing on the discovery of existing commonalities.

reach a consensus

Shifts the focus to achieving an agreement rather than just finding commonalities.

build rapport

Emphasizes creating a harmonious relationship as a foundation for agreement.

foster understanding

Highlights promoting mutual comprehension as a means to connect.

create alignment

Focuses on aligning perspectives or goals.

identify shared values

Highlights the act of pinpointing common principles or beliefs.

develop mutual understanding

Stresses the growth of comprehension between parties.

open a dialogue

Highlights the process of initiating conversation to promote finding points of agreement

set the stage for agreement

Focuses on preparing the environment for future understanding.

promote cooperation

Emphasizes the act of encouraging collaborative efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "establish common ground" in a sentence?

You can use "establish common ground" to describe the act of finding shared interests or beliefs, as in "The diplomats worked to establish common ground before discussing the trade agreement".

What is another way to say "establish common ground"?

Alternatives to "establish common ground" include "find common ground", "reach a consensus", or "build rapport".

Why is it important to establish common ground?

Establishing common ground helps create a foundation of trust and understanding, making it easier to navigate disagreements and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

In what situations is it useful to establish common ground?

Establishing common ground is particularly useful in negotiations, conflict resolution, and collaborative projects where differing viewpoints need to be reconciled.