less than consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is not full agreement or unanimity among a group of people. Example: "The committee reached a decision that was less than consensus, indicating that some members had significant reservations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The division among the Democrats, he said, "indicates that there is a wee bit less than consensus in this body".

The New York Times

Not so high on the hog at Harley Davidson –the Motorcycle said second-quarter profit grew 3%, less than consensus estimates.

Forbes

Germany's GDP had fallen even more than France's, by 0.5% in the quarter, but that was less than consensus forecasts for a 0.7% drop, and largely a correction from the relatively robust 1.3% growth in the first quarter mild weather in the first three months had led to a spurt in construction activity.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In contrast, knowledge-based methods (such as statistical potentials) can be applied to single models but are in general less accurate than consensus methods and exhibit strong dependency on the structural data they have been trained on.

Bioinformatics

That is significant, because a downgrade by a single rating agency matters less than a consensus.

The New York Times

Including the pension gain, the company earned 81 cents a share, 2 cents less than the consensus estimate of analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial.

The New York Times

Traders now say they suspect the economy added 125,000 to 150,000 jobs in April, less than a consensus forecast by economists of 170,000 jobs.

The New York Times

The first-quarter SmartEstimate for CSX calls for earnings of 51-cents per share, 7 cents less than the consensus estimate.

Forbes

The company revised its guidance for fiscal 2002, saying it expects earnings-per-share growth of 20%, to $1.37, less than the consensus estimate of $1.79 per share.

Forbes

To find other solid stocks that got caught in this summer's selling frenzy, we first screened for companies that over the previous four quarters did not report actual earnings less than the consensus forecast.

Forbes

Despite the lack of any agreed upon theory of consciousness, there is a widespread, if less than universal, consensus that an adequate account of mind requires a clear understanding of it and its place in nature.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than consensus" to precisely convey that there is not a full agreement, and that some disagreement or reservations exist within a group.

Common error

Avoid using "less than consensus" when there is overwhelming opposition. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where some, but not all, parties disagree. If the opposition is widespread, consider using phrases like "widely opposed" or "met with significant resistance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than consensus" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree of agreement or support for a particular idea, decision, or outcome. It indicates that while there might be some level of acceptance, it falls short of a full, unanimous agreement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than consensus" accurately conveys a lack of full agreement on a topic, suggesting that while there might be some support, there are also dissenting opinions or reservations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English, with usage examples appearing in contexts such as news media and scientific publications. While not extremely common, it is a valuable phrase for precisely describing situations where complete unanimity is absent. When using this phrase, be mindful of the degree of disagreement and choose more descriptive terms if the opposition is more significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not fully agreed upon

This alternative directly replaces the original phrase, indicating a lack of complete agreement.

partially disagreed with

This alternative highlights that some level of disagreement exists, making the agreement incomplete.

without complete accord

This expresses a lack of full harmony or agreement among the involved parties.

not entirely in agreement

This indicates that while there may be some agreement, it is not comprehensive.

lacking full concurrence

This phrase points out the absence of a complete matching of opinions or views.

short of unanimity

This indicates a state where not everyone is of the same opinion.

not universally accepted

This shows that there's a division of opinions and the idea isn't embraced everywhere.

disagreement exists

Highlights explicitly that there's a difference in opinions.

divergent opinions present

This shows that opinions vary, and uniformity is absent.

some dissent voiced

Emphasizes that there are people who don't align with the main sentiment or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "less than consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "less than consensus" to indicate a lack of complete agreement, such as, "The committee's decision was "less than consensus", suggesting some members had reservations."

What phrases are similar to "less than consensus"?

Alternatives include "not fully agreed upon", "partially disagreed with", or "without complete accord". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "less than consensus" in formal writing?

Yes, "less than consensus" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing decision-making processes, negotiations, or situations where complete agreement is not reached. However, ensure the tone remains objective and professional.

What does "less than consensus" imply about the decision-making process?

It implies that the decision was made despite some disagreement, potentially through a majority vote or compromise. It suggests that not all parties were fully satisfied with the outcome.