gather a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

'gather a consensus' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to come to an agreement or opinion on something, usually among a group of people. For example, "The committee gathered a consensus to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The [negotiation] process failed to gather a consensus on steps Norway views [as] essential," the Norwegian delegate told the general assembly, saying that opium replacement therapy and an end to drug crime executions should have been included.

The Guardian

Sometimes it chooses to push ahead on its own, not hanging around to gather a consensus from fellow members of the UN Security Council or from the European Union.

The Economist

The case was being reargued at the behest of Associate Justice Felix Frankfurter, who used reargument as a stalling tactic, to allow the Court to gather a consensus around a Brown opinion that would outlaw segregation.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In interviews, delegates' views on the proposal seemed to range widely, and gave few hints whether Ms. Lewis, the president, had gathered a consensus behind the deal, which she had earlier deemed good if imperfect.

The New York Times

But elsewhere, and particularly in those online spaces where self-identified pagans gather, a different critical consensus was emerging.

The Guardian - Books

Gather a tobacco tin.

WikiHow

Gather a crowd.

WikiHow

Gather a few grenades.

WikiHow

Gather a rough draft.

WikiHow

Gather a band.

WikiHow

Gather a Zelda dress.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather a consensus", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the gathering and what the consensus is about. For instance, specify the group or individuals involved and the topic of agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "gather a consensus" when the situation involves simple majority vote or compromise. "Consensus" implies a more unified agreement where everyone's concerns are addressed, rather than just a decision based on numbers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather a consensus" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used with a subject (e.g., "The committee gathered a consensus"). It describes the action of actively working to achieve agreement among a group. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather a consensus" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the process of achieving agreement within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its use across various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While alternatives like "reach an agreement" or "forge a consensus" exist, "gather a consensus" specifically emphasizes the active process of bringing people together to achieve a unified viewpoint. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the participants and the subject matter of the agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of reaching a mutual understanding, shifting the emphasis from the process.

forge a consensus

Emphasizes the effort and creation involved in reaching an agreement, implying a more active process.

establish a consensus

Focuses on the act of setting up or creating an agreement, emphasizing its establishment.

achieve unanimity

Implies a complete agreement where everyone is of the same mind, suggesting a stronger consensus.

build a common understanding

Highlights the construction of a shared comprehension, changing the focus to understanding.

arrive at a mutual decision

Highlights the decision-making aspect of reaching an agreement, emphasizing the decision itself.

develop a shared view

Stresses the development of a common perspective, focusing on the viewpoint rather than the agreement.

find common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared beliefs or interests as the basis for agreement, implying a search process.

cultivate agreement

Implies a gradual and careful process of fostering agreement, suggesting a more nurturing approach.

foster accord

Emphasizes promoting harmony and agreement, suggesting a broader and more positive outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather a consensus" to describe the process of getting a group to agree on something. For example, "The committee worked hard to gather a consensus on the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "gather a consensus"?

Some alternatives to "gather a consensus" include "reach an agreement", "achieve unanimity", or "build a common understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "gather a consensus" or "seek a consensus"?

Both "gather a consensus" and "seek a consensus" are valid, but they have slightly different connotations. "Gather a consensus" suggests a more active process of bringing people together to form an agreement, while "seek a consensus" implies a more exploratory approach to find existing common ground.

What does it mean to "forge a consensus"?

To "forge a consensus" means to create or build an agreement, often through considerable effort or negotiation. It implies a more proactive and deliberate approach to achieving agreement.