have reached a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have reached a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a group of people has come to an agreement or shared decision on a particular issue. Example: "After several hours of discussion, we have reached a consensus on the best approach to take for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Now the family appear to have reached a consensus.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Over a period of years we have reached a consensus and people supported my position".

The New York Times

Just when economists have reached a consensus, events in the real world proved them wrong.

The Economist

Actually, it's worse than that: we have reached a consensus that style is substance, and the only substance that counts.

Independent

"We have reached a consensus to accept the process of reconciliation," said Veera Musikapong, a protest leader.

The New York Times

Economic agreements should also be easier to reach because officials in Beijing seem to have reached a consensus that they want such pacts, Mr. Ma said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

A summary of the conference, published a year later, said scientists had reached a "consensus" that moderate drinking "has been shown to have predominantly beneficial effects on health".

The New York Times

Hancock insisted the committee had reached a consensus about how the evidence would be taken.

The Guardian

He said he and the nine electoral council members had reached a "consensus" Monday night.

The New York Times

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister said the bloc had reached a consensus on sanctions.

Independent

But with 128,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the government has reached a consensus that it is a humanitarian issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have reached a consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is involved in the agreement and what the subject of the consensus is. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that a consensus has been reached when significant dissenting opinions still exist. A true consensus reflects a broad agreement, not just the majority view.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have reached a consensus" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a group of individuals or entities have come to a mutual agreement. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to express that a shared understanding or decision has been achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have reached a consensus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates a group has come to an agreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reporting to scientific discussions. The phrase is primarily used to inform or report the achievement of an agreement, often implying that differing viewpoints have been reconciled. While the phrase is versatile, ensure the context clearly defines who reached the consensus and about what. Alternative phrases like "have come to an agreement" or "have agreed upon" can be used for variety, but "have reached a consensus" remains a clear and professional choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have come to an agreement

Replaces "reached a consensus" with "come to an agreement", focusing on the act of agreeing.

have agreed upon

Uses "agreed upon" instead of "reached a consensus", highlighting the agreement itself.

have reached a common understanding

Highlights the shared understanding achieved, rather than the agreement itself.

are in accord

Uses a more formal tone to indicate agreement.

have concurred

Replaces "reached a consensus" with the verb "concurred", maintaining a formal tone.

have found common ground

Indicates finding a basis for agreement, rather than a full consensus.

have achieved unanimity

Implies a stronger level of agreement than consensus, suggesting everyone is in complete agreement.

have settled on

Suggests a decision has been made after considering alternatives, implying a consensus.

have a mutual understanding

Focuses on shared comprehension, implying agreement but not necessarily explicit decision-making.

have seen eye to eye

Emphasizes shared perspective and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "have reached a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "have reached a consensus" to indicate that a group has come to an agreement. For example, "After a lengthy debate, the committee "have reached a consensus" on the budget allocation".

What phrases are similar to "have reached a consensus"?

Similar phrases include "have come to an agreement", "have agreed upon", or "have found common ground".

Is it appropriate to use "have reached a consensus" in formal writing?

Yes, "have reached a consensus" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally conveys that a group has come to an agreement.

What's the difference between "have reached a consensus" and "have made a decision"?

"Have reached a consensus" implies a broader agreement among a group, while "have made a decision" can refer to a decision made by an individual or a small group. A consensus suggests more inclusive agreement than simply making a decision.