form a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'form a consensus' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of people coming to a collective agreement or decision. For example, "The government will need to form a consensus on how to respond to the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The information is then aggregated to form a consensus.

Cornell University

Christie is a leader who can work with all voices to form a consensus.

University of California, Berkeley

In addition, the agents can share information and form a consensus about the nature of an irregularity.

MIT Technology Review

Many German voters like the idea of all parties coming together to form a consensus for tackling big issues.

The Economist

Even though there's nothing big in it, that these four camps could form a consensus, that itself is important.

The New York Times

After the 10 men offered bets, he would form a consensus line for the public on which the following week's college and pro games opened.

The New York Times

If steps are not taken to form a consensus government, Shahbaz Sharif said, the public anger could spin out of control.

The New York Times

Of course, we have to get some distance from any era in order to form a consensus about what it meant.

The New Yorker

In the matter of influencing others, Ms. Galosy said, white men tend to tell people what to do, while women and Asians try to form a consensus.

The New York Times

Have students work in small groups to research possible actions they can take as consumers, and then try to form a consensus on what they should do.

The New York Times

The Mongol elite returned to Mongolia to select a new Great Khan, but they were unsuccessful in their efforts to form a consensus on the matter.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "form a consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates the group or entities involved in the agreement process.

Common error

Avoid the assumption that "form a consensus" implies complete agreement from all parties. Consensus often involves compromise and may not represent the first choice of every individual involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "form a consensus" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of achieving agreement among a group. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where parties need to come together on a decision or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "form a consensus" is a correct and widely used expression for describing the process of achieving agreement within a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts ranging from academic discussions to news reporting. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia" indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "reach an agreement" exist, "form a consensus" specifically highlights the collaborative effort required to bridge differing opinions and arrive at a unified decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of the process rather than the process itself.

find accord

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

find common ground

Emphasizes the shared basis for agreement.

come to an understanding

Emphasizes mutual comprehension rather than formal agreement.

build a consensus

Highlights the gradual construction of agreement.

arrive at a settlement

Suggests resolving a dispute or conflict.

forge a compromise

Highlights the act of mutual concession.

develop a common view

Focuses on creating a shared perspective.

unite in opinion

Stresses the convergence of individual beliefs.

establish a concord

Implies a formal and harmonious agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "form a consensus" to describe a group's effort to reach a collective decision, like "The committee needed to "form a consensus" on the budget allocation".

What are some alternatives to "form a consensus"?

Alternatives include "reach an agreement", "come to an understanding", or "arrive at a settlement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

No, while reaching a consensus can be beneficial for group cohesion and decision buy-in, it's not always necessary or efficient. Sometimes, a majority vote or delegated decision-making is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "form a consensus" and "take a vote"?

"Form a consensus" implies a collaborative process of discussion and compromise to reach a mutually agreeable decision, while "take a vote" is a more direct method where decisions are made based on the majority opinion, without necessarily requiring agreement from all participants.