general agreement about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general agreement about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a consensus or shared understanding among a group regarding a particular topic or issue. Example: "There is a general agreement about the need for more sustainable practices in our industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least there is general agreement about what homosexuality is; no such consensus can be generated for "economic growth".

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

Last week at the United Nations, at what was billed as the highest-level meeting on climate change ever, there was general agreement about the approaching disaster.

The New Yorker

Yet even in a world without conservatives there would be no general agreement about how government should handle anything truly important.

The New Yorker

"It will take a shift in our thinking about what our priorities should be, maybe even some general agreement about holding back on consumer litigation," Dr. Tone said.

The New York Times - Health

There was general agreement about the need to trust employees better and to approach dissemination of information in a more relaxed way.

The Guardian

It also found that the herb significantly shortened the duration of a cold, but there was no general agreement about the magnitude of this effect.

The New York Times - Health

The verb is simply the name, as in 'He got enroned last Thursday".' Note the general agreement about the spelling of the verb.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There is general agreement about who the important architects are and what are the elements of high architectural style," said Laura Hansen, a director of Place Matters.

The New York Times

WHEN Arun Sarin took over in July 2003 as chief executive of Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator by revenues, there was general agreement about what needed to be done and that he was the right man to do it.

The Economist

There is a visceral fascination with leaders and their character, and with the great issue that surrounds them: can they be made or are they only ever born?There is no general agreement about the qualities of a leader.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether "general agreement" accurately represents the situation. If there are significant dissenting voices, it may be more appropriate to say "widespread agreement" or "majority view".

Common error

Avoid using "general agreement about" when there are considerable disagreements or differing opinions on the subject. Overstating the level of consensus can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general agreement about" functions as a qualifier introducing a statement of consensus or shared understanding concerning a particular subject. It's used to set the stage for further discussion or elaboration on the agreed-upon point, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general agreement about" is a widely used expression indicating a broad consensus or shared understanding regarding a specific topic. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly found in both News & Media and Science. While it signifies a level of accord, it's crucial to ensure that this agreement is genuine and not an overstatement of the actual situation. Alternatives like "widespread consensus on" or "common understanding of" can be used to add nuance or precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread consensus on

This alternative uses "widespread" to emphasize the extent of agreement, implying a broad consensus.

broad agreement regarding

This phrase uses "broad" to describe the scope of the agreement and "regarding" as a synonym for "about".

overall consensus regarding

"Overall" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the consensus, and "regarding" is used instead of "about".

general concurrence about

Uses the noun form of concur to convey a similar meaning of "general agreement about".

common understanding of

This option focuses on the shared comprehension rather than explicit agreement.

prevailing view on

This alternative suggests the most accepted opinion or perspective on a topic.

shared perspective on

This highlights the common viewpoint rather than an explicit agreement.

accepted viewpoint on

This suggests that a particular perspective is widely recognized and adopted.

unanimous accord on

This phrase implies complete agreement without any dissent.

collective concurrence on

This alternative highlights the group's simultaneous and unified agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "general agreement about" in a sentence?

You can use "general agreement about" to indicate a widespread consensus on a particular topic. For example, "There is "general agreement about" the need for climate action".

What are some alternatives to "general agreement about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "widespread consensus on", "broad agreement regarding", or "common understanding of".

Is it always accurate to use "general agreement about"?

No, it's important to ensure that a genuine consensus exists before using this phrase. If significant disagreements persist, it's more accurate to say "majority view" or "widespread belief".

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

"General agreement about" suggests a broad consensus, while "unanimous agreement about" implies that everyone is in complete accord, without any dissent.