forge consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forge consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of building agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. Example: "The committee worked tirelessly to forge consensus on the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rubio tried to forge consensus, most notably with the immigration package.

The Washington Post

Senators on both sides of the aisle made a concerted effort to forge consensus.

The Washington Post

The party will now have to work to forge consensus with its opposition.

The New York Times

The trick is to forge consensus to get those policies enacted.But what policies exactly?

The Economist

Most of his political energy around abortion has been spent trying to forge consensus on ways to reduce unintended pregnancies.

The New York Times

BUSH: We need someone with a proven record to be able to forge consensus to solve problems.

The Washington Post

Over the years, Mr. Kennedy has used such stakeholder meetings to forge consensus on many legislative issues, including health care, civil rights and immigration.

The New York Times

If Mr. Obama waits too long to exert his presidential muscle to forge consensus on Capitol Hill, his moment of opportunity could pass.

The New York Times - Health

He also observed that a European foreign minister would face a nettlesome task, trying to forge consensus among 22 divergent countries.

The New York Times

The country's coalition leaders will meet again next week in what many hope will be a final attempt to forge consensus over the cuts.

The Guardian - Business

Ms. Segarra said she hoped to forge consensus and suggested that she would play down the more controversial aspects of the mayor's agenda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forge consensus", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the idea of actively creating or building agreement, especially when disparate views exist.

Common error

Avoid using "forge consensus" when the agreement already exists or is easily obtained. The phrase implies a deliberate effort to overcome differences and create unity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forge consensus" functions as a verb phrase where "forge" acts as a transitive verb, and "consensus" is the direct object. It signifies the action of actively creating or building agreement, often from disparate viewpoints. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely applicable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forge consensus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the active creation of agreement. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is applicable in various contexts but is especially prevalent in news, business, and political settings. When using "forge consensus", ensure that the context accurately reflects the active effort required to create agreement from differing viewpoints. Alternatives such as ""build consensus"" and ""achieve agreement"" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations. The high frequency and authoritative sources confirm its established usage in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build consensus

Focuses on the construction or development of agreement.

achieve agreement

Highlights the successful attainment of agreement.

facilitate agreement

Focuses on making the process of reaching an agreement easier.

reach understanding

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of coming to a shared viewpoint.

develop common ground

Suggests finding shared interests or beliefs as a basis for agreement.

broker a deal

Implies negotiation and compromise to reach an agreement, often in a business context.

secure consent

Highlights the process of obtaining approval or agreement from all parties involved.

cultivate accord

Suggests a more delicate and gradual process of fostering agreement.

establish harmony

Emphasizes the creation of a peaceful and cooperative environment.

promote unanimity

Highlights the encouragement and facilitation of a unified viewpoint.

FAQs

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

You can use "forge consensus" to describe efforts to create agreement, as in, "The leader worked hard to "forge consensus" among the committee members."

What are some alternatives to "forge consensus"?

Alternatives include "build consensus", "achieve agreement", or "reach understanding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "forge a consensus" or "forge consensus"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "forge consensus" is more common. The article "a" is optional but often omitted for brevity and flow.

What is the difference between "forge consensus" and "seek consensus"?

"Forge consensus" implies an active role in creating agreement, while "seek consensus" simply suggests looking for existing agreement. "Forge" suggests a more involved and potentially difficult process.