general agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which a majority of people, or parties involved, agree with each other. For example, "The nations reached a general agreement on climate change initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

On this there is general agreement.

The Guardian

"It's friendship," says Harrison, to general agreement.

Independent

Today's summation, by general agreement, will test his skills.

The New York Times

"We will have a general agreement, without them".

The New York Times

Still, there was general agreement about how to minimize relapses.

The New Yorker

Behind this general agreement, there is a fundamental difference.

The New York Times

Not because of me, but by general agreement".

The Guardian - Books

There is general agreement on a few points.

The New York Times

There is general agreement that competitive markets benefit consumers.

The Economist

In some cases, even general agreement has been difficult.

The New York Times - Tech

And, by general agreement, it lost him a big debate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "general agreement" to describe a situation where most, but not necessarily all, parties are in accord. For situations where complete agreement exists, consider alternatives like "unanimous consent".

Common error

Avoid using "general agreement" when there is significant disagreement or dissent. Accurately represent the degree of consensus to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general agreement" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It indicates a state of accord or consensus among a group of people or entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general agreement" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to express that a majority of people or parties are in accord. As Ludwig AI validates, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. When employing the phrase, clarify the scope of the agreement and avoid using it when notable dissent exists. Consider related terms like "broad consensus" or "widespread accord" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general consensus

A more emphatic way to express the idea of "general agreement".

broad consensus

Emphasizes a wide agreement among many parties.

widespread accord

Suggests a harmonious agreement, often in formal contexts.

common understanding

Highlights a shared interpretation or perspective on a matter.

unanimous consent

Implies complete agreement without any dissent.

mutual understanding

Emphasizes the reciprocity of the shared comprehension or agreement.

overall acceptance

Focuses on the idea that something is widely accepted, though not necessarily actively agreed upon.

shared viewpoint

Indicates that multiple parties hold the same opinion or belief.

prevailing opinion

Highlights the dominant or most common opinion on a topic.

prevailing sentiment

Indicates the dominant feeling or attitude towards something.

FAQs

How to use "general agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "general agreement" to describe a situation where most people or groups agree on something. For example, "There is "general agreement" that climate change is a pressing issue."

What can I say instead of "general agreement"?

You can use alternatives like "broad consensus", "widespread accord", or "common understanding" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "general agreement" in formal writing?

Yes, "general agreement" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and widely understood term to describe a state of consensus. However, alternatives like "widespread accord" may sound more formal.

What's the difference between "general agreement" and "unanimous consent"?

"General agreement" implies that most people agree, while "unanimous consent" means that everyone agrees. The former allows for some dissent, while the latter requires complete agreement.