if they agree

USAGE SUMMARY

"if they agree" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when making a statement that is contingent upon another person or group's acceptance or agreement. For example, "We can move forward with this project if they agree to the terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And if they agree?

The New York Times

On Friday the Lords will decide if they agree.

The Guardian

It means that two entities can communicate only if they agree upon on the meaning of the terms they use.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

"If they agree, they would sign a work order number, then they will deliver the services".

The New York Times

Trade officials must give Congress advance notice if they agree to any changes in these rules.

The Economist

If they agree on the remedy, that will be the tiebreaker.

The New York Times - Sports

If they agree, they are essentially making the decision, but are shifting the burden to me.

The New York Times

"If they agree to talk, it will already be a step forward," he said.

Independent

Both Podemos and the National Front meet this description, even if they agree on little else.

The Economist

If they agree terms before December 11 we cancel the purse bid.

Independent

General pensioners will receive only 66% of their monthly pension (74% if they agree quickly).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if they agree", ensure the context clearly defines who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "if the board members agree" instead of just "if they agree".

Common error

Avoid assuming agreement when it hasn't been explicitly stated. Instead of saying "Since they agree, we'll proceed", confirm their agreement first: "Now that we've confirmed they agree, we'll proceed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if they agree" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true. It sets up a scenario where an action or outcome is dependent on the consent or agreement of a group or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if they agree" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that introduces a condition dependent on the consent of a group or individual. Ludwig AI states that the expression serves to indicate that an action depends on consent. As demonstrated by the examples, it appears across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and general discussions. While perfectly acceptable in formal writing, alternative phrases such as "should they consent" might be preferred in some cases. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of the agreement is clearly defined and avoid assuming agreement when it hasn't been explicitly confirmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should they consent

Replaces "if" with "should", creating a more formal and conditional tone while maintaining the core meaning of agreement.

on the condition that they agree

Emphasizes the conditional aspect, indicating a clear requirement for agreement.

provided they consent

Adds a stipulation, emphasizing that something will happen only under the condition of their consent.

given their consent

Similar to "provided they consent", but uses a more passive voice.

contingent on their approval

Directly states the dependence on their approval for something to proceed.

assuming they approve

Focuses on the act of approval, implying a formal decision or endorsement.

if they are in accord

Replaces "agree" with "in accord", suggesting a state of harmony or alignment.

in the event of their agreement

Creates a more formal and structured sentence, highlighting the occurrence of an agreement.

should they be willing

Shifts focus to their willingness, highlighting a disposition to consent.

assuming they are amenable

Uses "amenable" to indicate a disposition to agree or cooperate.

FAQs

How can I use "if they agree" in a sentence?

Use "if they agree" to introduce a condition based on someone's consent, like: "We will launch the project "if they agree" to the budget". Ensure the context makes it clear who "they" refers to.

What are some alternatives to "if they agree"?

Alternatives include "provided they consent", "assuming they approve", or "on the condition that they agree", each adding slightly different nuances to the condition of agreement.

Is it better to say "if they agree" or "if they are in agreement"?

"If they agree" is more concise and commonly used. "If they are in agreement" is grammatically correct, but less frequent and might sound more formal or stilted. Choose based on your desired tone.

Can "if they agree" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "if they agree" is suitable for formal writing, though alternatives like "should they consent" or "contingent on their approval" may be preferred in highly formal contexts.