hammered out

USAGE SUMMARY

"hammered out" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of arriving at an agreement or settlement after much discussion or debate. For example: After a long negotiation process, both sides finally hammered out a compromise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The two hammered out a contract.

The New York Times

So far, though, he has not hammered out any contracts.

The New York Times

It was hammered out in secret in just ten days.

The Economist

Lasn and White quickly hammered out a post-Zuccotti plan.

The New Yorker

But ultimately, he hammered out a demanding silhouette.

The New York Times

An iron sword hammered out in the cold of dawn,.

The New Yorker

As Mr. Mills awaited data, he hammered out six options.

The New York Times

The questions for Enron jurors were hammered out by the defense and the prosecution together.

The New Yorker

The biggest differences of opinion will probably have to be hammered out in the 2012 election.

The New York Times

According to sources a new agreement was hammered out under which another sum was paid.

Independent

As ever in Albany, the details are being hammered out behind closed doors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hammered out" to describe situations where significant effort and possibly conflict were involved in reaching an agreement or creating something. It's more impactful than simply saying "agreed" or "created".

Common error

While "hammered out" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in very casual or informal situations. Simpler phrases like "worked out" or "agreed on" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hammered out" typically functions as the predicate of a sentence, describing the action of reaching a detailed agreement or creating something through intensive negotiation or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hammered out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe reaching a detailed agreement or creating something through significant effort and negotiation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While appropriate for news, business, and even some academic contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "worked out" or "agreed upon" in very informal situations. The phrase's neutral register and high frequency in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thrashed out

Similar to "hammered out" but suggests a more intense and potentially argumentative negotiation.

worked out

Focuses more on the problem-solving aspect rather than the intense negotiation implied by "hammered out".

ironed out

Focuses on resolving minor issues and smoothing out details.

negotiated

Emphasizes the discussion and bargaining process involved in reaching an agreement.

reached a consensus

Highlights the agreement among all parties involved.

agreed upon

Highlights the consensus achieved after discussions.

settled on

Implies a decision has been reached after considering different options.

finalized

Implies that the details have been settled and the agreement is complete.

concluded

Suggests a formal end to discussions and an agreement has been made.

drew up

Emphasizes the creation of a document or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "hammered out" in a sentence?

"Hammered out" is typically used to describe the process of reaching an agreement or creating something after significant discussion and effort. For example, "The lawyers "hammered out" the details of the contract."

What's a less intense alternative to "hammered out"?

If you want to convey agreement without emphasizing the struggle, consider using phrases like "agreed upon" or "worked out" instead of ""hammered out"".

Is "hammered out" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "hammered out" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to highlight the effort and negotiation involved in reaching an agreement. It's frequently used in news articles and business reports.

Which phrase is more appropriate, "hammered out" or "ironed out"?

"Hammered out" suggests a more extensive and potentially difficult negotiation process, while "ironed out" implies resolving minor issues or inconsistencies.