gain agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when attempting to reach a consensus or understanding with someone. For example: "We need to work together to gain agreement on the right course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The Canada Act also contained a formula for its amendment in Canada, a subject that had defeated attempts to gain agreement on a new constitution as far back as 1927.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new map, proposed by the Democrats, was selected last month by a Denver District Court judge, Robert S. Hyatt, after competing plans for incorporating the 2010 Census numbers failed to gain agreement.

The New York Times

After some early compromise, which was welcome, the EU walked out on the second day as the chair was unable to gain agreement from countries like Pakistan and South Africa to remove a footnote which might limit the treaty to transnational companies, and exclude domestic-only companies.

The Guardian

Veterans of past negotiations said the air of crisis was reminiscent of the negotiations that preceded the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which laid down a blueprint for peace in the province, and the years of subsequent talks that were needed to gain agreement on the power-sharing institutions in Belfast.

The New York Times

I served on the staff of the United States Embassy in Beirut in that period, and along with my colleagues met with all contending factions in a vain attempt to gain agreement for the reconstructed Lebanese Army to assume responsibility for security in areas under control of the factional militias.

The New York Times

"They've tried to talk to the management and gain agreement but that's not happened so they are considering now going directly to the shareholders".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Federal officials said today's settlement in the case that was brought last November was a legal wedge to gain agreements with the other six utilities.

The New York Times

It says reforms in this area would bring certainty and simplicity to a system currently dependent on "planning gain" agreements, under which developers agree to provide community facilities in return for planning permission.

The Guardian

Because Cosla seeks to represent the views of all 32 Scottish councils, it is rarely possible for it to gain agreements to take a stand on any controversial party political issue.

BBC

It is understood that Project Canvas, which has faced the difficult task of gaining agreement from six partners – the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva – over hiring a chairman, will announce the appointment this week.

The Guardian

In what seemed to be tiresome pedantry he brought a stick in a bucket of water to a lecture and gained agreement that the stick was straight but appeared to be bent.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain agreement", ensure the context clearly indicates who is gaining the agreement and from whom. For example, "The company sought to gain agreement from the shareholders before proceeding with the merger."

Common error

Avoid using "gain agreement" when the understanding is only partial or tentative. Instead, use phrases like "initiate dialogue" or "explore common ground" to reflect the preliminary nature of the consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain agreement" functions as a verb phrase with the primary function of expressing the action of obtaining consensus or approval. It implies an effort to achieve a shared understanding or acceptance of a proposal, plan, or idea. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gain agreement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing the process of obtaining consensus or approval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reporting to scientific research. While alternatives like "reach consensus" or "secure agreement" exist, "gain agreement" effectively conveys the effort involved in achieving a shared understanding. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who is gaining the agreement and from whom, and avoid overstating the level of consensus achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secure agreement

Replaces "gain" with "secure", emphasizing the effort to obtain the agreement.

reach consensus

Focuses on the outcome of reaching a shared opinion.

achieve understanding

Shifts the focus to mutual comprehension rather than explicit agreement.

obtain approval

Implies a formal endorsement or permission.

foster accord

Suggests a more collaborative and harmonious agreement.

win consent

Emphasizes persuading someone to agree.

build consensus

Highlights the process of creating a shared understanding over time.

garner support

Focuses on gathering backing for an idea or proposal.

forge unity

Suggests creating a strong sense of togetherness and agreement.

develop common ground

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

FAQs

How can I use "gain agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "gain agreement" to describe the process of achieving consensus or approval, as in "The negotiator worked hard to "secure agreement" from all parties involved".

What are some alternatives to "gain agreement"?

Some alternatives include "reach consensus", "obtain approval", or "win consent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "gain agreement" and "achieve agreement"?

"Gain agreement" emphasizes the effort or process of obtaining the agreement, while "achieve agreement" focuses on the successful outcome. The phrase "achieving agreement" highlights the accomplishment.

Is it more formal to say "gain agreement" or "reach agreement"?

Both phrases are suitable for formal contexts. However, "reach agreement" might sound slightly more polished and less focused on the effort required, while the phrase "gain assent" is suitable for more formal contexts.