get to a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get to a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or shared decision among a group of people. Example: "After several hours of discussion, we were finally able to get to a consensus on the project's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That means we can get to a consensus".

The New Yorker

"Given how difficult it is to get to a consensus, it was hard to force that until there was a need to," Toomey said Wednesday.

The Washington Post

The announcement that Republicans had overcome their differences to get to a consensus bill added more momentum to the sprint to the finish line.

The New York Times

By working as a kind of an open rehearsal, where people have to deal with each other in a public space, and ultimately, get to a consensus, Kun explores the connections this experience has as a public and collective way of thinking about assembly.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Clearly with Republicans not having gotten to a consensus in terms of immigration, it makes it a lot more difficult to talk about immigration as a unified voice," said David Winston, a Republican pollster who advises House leaders.

The New York Times

Bitcoin and Git have a main similarity, as they both deal with getting to a consensus: Bitcoin is the agreement on which transactions are considered valid; Git is about the agreement on what code changes should be included in the latest version, on top of which developers should work.

TechCrunch

Bitcoin and Git have a main similarity, as they both deal with getting to a consensus: Bitcoin is the agreement on which transactions are considered valid; Git is about the agreement on what code changes should be included in the latest version, on top of which developers should work.

TechCrunch

We cannot even get to a basic consensus about imposing a tax on financial transactions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite the summit slogan of "a future we want", how close the conference will get to a shared consensus on what that future is and how it will be secured, is unclear.

The Guardian

To get to a text by consensus is a slow and challenging process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Proponents of this shift, including Ethereum co-founder Buterin, like proof of stake for the energy and cost savings realized to get to a distributed form of consensus.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to foster collaboration, use "get to a consensus" to emphasize the collaborative process of decision-making, rather than just the final agreement. For example, use it when emphasizing the effort to include diverse perspectives in the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "get to a consensus" when you actually mean achieving complete unanimity. Consensus implies a general agreement, not necessarily that everyone agrees on every single point. Unanimity demands total agreement, which is often much harder to achieve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get to a consensus" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the process of reaching a collective agreement. Ludwig AI showcases examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to denote the action of achieving shared understanding and acceptance among a group of people or entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get to a consensus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes the process of reaching a collective agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is appropriate for both formal and informal communication, though it is most commonly found in news and academic contexts. While striving for consensus, it is important to remember that it represents a general agreement, not necessarily unanimity. Alternatives such as "reach an agreement" or "find common ground" may better suit specific contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows its prevalence in authoritative sources, reinforcing its validity in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of the process, emphasizing the agreement itself rather than the process of achieving it.

arrive at a consensus

Similar to "get to a consensus", but emphasizes the endpoint of a journey or process of deliberation.

come to an agreement

Highlights the act of agreeing after a discussion or negotiation.

find common ground

Emphasizes the shared beliefs or interests that allow agreement to be reached.

build a consensus

Focuses on the active construction and development of an agreement.

forge a consensus

Implies a more forceful or difficult process of creating an agreement.

achieve unanimity

Highlights the complete agreement of all parties involved.

find a resolution

Focuses on resolving a conflict or dispute through agreement.

settle on a decision

Emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the agreement.

see eye to eye

Implies a complete alignment of viewpoints and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "get to a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "get to a consensus" to describe the process of a group reaching a mutual agreement, as in, "After a lengthy debate, the committee was finally able to "reach an agreement" and get to a consensus on the budget."

What are some alternatives to "get to a consensus"?

Alternatives include "arrive at a consensus", "come to an agreement", or "find common ground". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "get to a consensus" formal or informal?

"Get to a consensus" is appropriate for both formal and informal settings, as it describes a common and necessary process in various contexts, from business meetings to casual group decisions. The tone is neutral.

What's the difference between "get to a consensus" and "get to a compromise"?

"Get to a consensus" implies a general agreement where most parties are satisfied, while "get to a "get to a compromise"" suggests that each party has made concessions, and the final decision may not fully satisfy anyone but is acceptable to all.