friendly consultations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friendly consultations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where parties are discussing matters in a cordial and cooperative manner, often in diplomatic or formal settings. Example: "The two countries engaged in friendly consultations to resolve their trade disputes amicably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

China's defence ministry said it handed the drone back after "friendly consultations".

The Guardian

China's defense ministry said it handed the drone back after "friendly consultations".

The Guardian

"The consensus is to have these disputes solved peacefully through friendly consultations in the interest of peace and stability in the South China Sea and good neighborly relations," Mr. Yang, the Chinese foreign minister, said in his statement.

The New York Times

Indeed, China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, warned the United States on Friday to steer clear of territorial disputes between China and its neighbors, saying they ought to be resolved directly "through friendly consultations".

The New York Times

"After friendly consultations between the Chinese and U.S. sides, the handover work for the U.S. underwater drone was smoothly completed in relevant waters in the South China Sea at midday on Dec. 20," the ministry said in a short statement.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

To build a successful age-friendly city, consultations with older adults are imperative.

Huffington Post

China returns US drone seized by navy after 'friendly consultations' A drug activated by laser light successfully destroys early prostate cancer while avoiding side-effects like impotence or urinary incontinence that commonly occur with surgery, trial results have shown.

The Guardian

The Obamas did not attend church every Sunday back home in Chicago and may follow the same pattern here, sustaining religious life at times with daily prayer, Bible readings and consultations with friendly pastors, some of his spiritual counselors say.

The New York Times

Recognise staffs' migrant-friendly efforts, e.g., longer consultations due to the need for translations, even if it increases time requirements.

BMC Health Services Research

First, despite their apparent simplicity, the case finding questions are not consultation-friendly and acceptable alternative ways to raise the issue of depression need to be supported.

BMJ Open

Despite their apparent simplicity, the case-finding questions are not consultation-friendly, and acceptable alternative ways to raise mood disorders merit further exploration, as well as guidance on how to introduce the questions so patients do not feel depression is something that happens to 'other people' as our patient's awareness theme suggests.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "friendly consultations" when you want to emphasize the positive and cooperative nature of discussions aimed at resolving a situation or reaching an agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "friendly consultations" sarcastically or when the situation is clearly adversarial. The phrase implies a genuine desire for cooperation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly consultations" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "friendly" modifies the noun "consultations". Ludwig AI confirms this describes discussions carried out in a cooperative and amicable manner.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "friendly consultations" describes discussions conducted with a positive and cooperative attitude, aimed at resolving issues or reaching agreements amicably. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English, generally carrying a neutral to professional register. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "cordial discussions" or "amicable talks" exist, "friendly consultations" specifically emphasizes the positive and cooperative nature of the dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cordial discussions

Replaces 'friendly' with 'cordial', emphasizing politeness and warmth in the discussion.

amicable talks

Uses 'amicable' instead of 'friendly', highlighting the agreeable nature of the conversation.

cooperative dialogues

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the consultations.

peaceful negotiations

Focuses on the aim of the consultations: achieving a peaceful resolution.

harmonious discussions

Highlights the absence of conflict and the presence of agreement in the discussions.

constructive conversations

Focuses on the productive nature of the talks.

open discussions

Emphasizes transparency and honesty during the talks.

collaborative exchanges

Highlights the act of sharing and working together.

good-faith negotiations

Emphasizes the honesty and sincerity of parties during the negotiation.

positive interactions

Focuses on the pleasant and helpful nature of the exchanges.

FAQs

What does "friendly consultations" mean?

The term "friendly consultations" refers to discussions and meetings held in a cooperative and amicable manner, typically aimed at resolving issues or reaching agreements. It suggests a positive and non-confrontational approach to dialogue.

When is it appropriate to use the term "friendly consultations"?

Use "friendly consultations" when describing discussions where parties are genuinely seeking to cooperate and find mutually agreeable solutions. This is common in diplomatic, business, and even personal contexts where maintaining a positive relationship is important.

Are there any synonyms for "friendly consultations"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "cordial discussions", "amicable talks", or "cooperative dialogues" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "friendly consultations" differ from regular "consultations"?

The addition of "friendly" emphasizes the positive and cooperative spirit of the discussions. While "consultations" simply implies a process of seeking advice or information, "friendly consultations" highlights the harmonious nature of the interactions.