firm consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firm consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong agreement or collective opinion among a group of people. Example: "After much discussion, the committee reached a firm consensus on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But the United States has failed to get a firm consensus from its European allies.

The New York Times

After 18 months of negotiations, there is still no firm consensus on an acceptable monitoring blueprint.

The New York Times

As 2009 began, there was a firm consensus that it would be a bleak year for stocks, and it wasn't.

The New York Times

This will enable our members to plan and invest for their future; we now have a firm consensus that digital is the route forward for radio's future.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite these issues, there is a pretty firm consensus among the two parties that the outgoing government went too far in storing data on individuals.

The Guardian

There is a somewhat firm consensus that the greatest was scored by Diego Maradona in the quarterfinal round of the 1986 World Cup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

According to First Call/Thomson Financial, the research firm, the consensus forecast was 46 cents a share.

The New York Times

At present there isn't a firm medical consensus on digital addiction.

The Guardian

Contrary to what Mr Bush and some advisers have said in recent days, a firm scientific consensus now holds that man-made global warming is a problem which must be addressed.

The Economist

These days a stock can swing sharply in price if reported earnings are a penny or two higher or lower than the firm's consensus earnings estimate.

Forbes

The firm's consensus 12-month price target of $30.28, as reported by Thomson Reuters, also suggests a lack of confidence from the analyst community, as XLNX closed at $31.26 on Thursday.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "firm consensus" to convey a sense of strong, well-established agreement, particularly when decisions or opinions are solidified and unlikely to change. For example, "There is a "firm consensus" among scientists regarding the effects of climate change".

Common error

Avoid using "firm consensus" in extremely informal or casual settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversations. Consider using simpler terms like "agreement" or "understanding" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firm consensus" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a state of agreement that is not only present but also strongly established, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firm consensus" is a grammatically correct phrase that denotes a strong and established agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. When writing, consider the formality of your audience and choose alternative phrases like "solid agreement" or "strong accord" for a similar meaning in more casual settings. Using "firm consensus" effectively conveys certainty and shared understanding on a matter of importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solid agreement

Replaces "consensus" with "agreement" and "firm" with "solid", emphasizing the strength and stability of the agreement.

strong accord

Substitutes "consensus" with "accord", highlighting the harmony and agreement between parties, and "firm" with "strong".

unwavering agreement

Replaces "firm" with "unwavering", indicating an agreement that does not falter or change.

established agreement

Indicates an agreement that has been recognized and accepted over time, replacing the strength emphasis of "firm".

general concurrence

Uses "concurrence" instead of "consensus", suggesting widespread agreement, and "general" instead of "firm".

widespread agreement

Indicates that the agreement is spread among many people or entities, rather than emphasizing the resolve of agreement.

universal agreement

Suggests that virtually everyone is in agreement, a stronger form of "firm consensus".

settled understanding

Focuses on the understanding reached, replacing "consensus", and uses "settled" instead of "firm" to imply finality.

united front

Implies agreement to present a single, cohesive viewpoint or position. This is more figurative and less literal than "firm consensus".

common understanding

Emphasizes the shared understanding rather than the firmness of agreement, making it slightly less emphatic.

FAQs

What does "firm consensus" mean?

The term "firm consensus" signifies a strong and well-established agreement or shared understanding among a group of people or entities. It suggests a solid and unwavering agreement on a particular issue or decision.

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

You might say, "After lengthy deliberations, the committee reached a "firm consensus" on the new policy" or "There is a "firm consensus" within the scientific community about the importance of vaccination".

What are some alternatives to "firm consensus"?

You can use alternatives like "solid agreement", "strong accord", or "unwavering agreement" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "firm consensus", or are there situations where it's better to use a simpler term?

While "firm consensus" is grammatically correct, it may be overly formal in some contexts. Simpler terms like "agreement" or "understanding" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Use "firm consensus" when you want to emphasize the strength and solidity of the agreement.