maintain a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of keeping agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we must maintain a consensus among all team members regarding the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Johnson, a consummate dealmaker, approached the problem as a political tactician rather than a strategist, seeking to approve the smallest troop increase possible that would maintain a consensus among his military commanders and civilian advisers.

The New York Times

At the news conference today, Under Secretary of State Alan Keyes suggested that the United States would consider cutting its contribution agan if the budget-making committee did not maintain a consensus.

The New York Times

The countries involved in the conflict are to hold separate meetings this week to try to maintain a consensus on forcing Colonel Qaddafi to end attacks on cities held by rebel forces.

The New York Times

"As I studied the question," he said in an interview, "I came to feel that distrust of government was the basic default position for the United States and that the cold war kept faith in government high and made it possible to maintain a consensus for big government".

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, lncRNA elements tend to maintain a consensus secondary structure through compensatory base mutations and, therefore, are difficult to detect by sequence alignments alone [ 19].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In regard to his handling of the Kosovo conflict in 1999, observers lauded Solana for maintaining a consensus among the 19 members of the alliance's North Atlantic Council, who were often at loggerheads over how to conduct the bombing campaign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An examination of transcripts from the deliberations of the Fed's policy-making group, the Federal Open Market Committee, during that spring sheds some light on the challenges Mr. Bernanke faces in maintaining a consensus in the committee as it approaches the problem today.

The New York Times

Our revised exon boundary maintains a consensus splice donor site.

BMC Genomics

For this reason, maintaining a consensus-driven working relationship and the current dues structure, until which time this SFVCOG develops a track record of success, is vital.

Los Angeles Times

However, he suggested the Russian leader's hardline tactics were potentially undermining his efforts to isolate the opposition and maintain a national consensus.

The New York Times

But Gang says that while the government is very firm on this, they are having to work hard to win support from citizens for this approach in order to maintain a domestic consensus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain a consensus", ensure that all parties involved have a clear and shared understanding of the issues at hand before attempting to preserve agreement. This involves proactive communication and clarification to prevent misunderstandings that could undermine the consensus.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a consensus exists without actively verifying agreement from all relevant parties. Regularly check in with stakeholders to ensure that their views are still aligned and address any emerging concerns to prevent the erosion of the consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain a consensus" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of preserving or upholding an agreement or shared understanding among a group of people. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in political, scientific and organizational settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain a consensus" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of preserving agreement or shared understanding within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register and use across diverse fields, including news, science, and politics, demonstrates its broad applicability. While there are many alternative ways to express this idea, such as "preserve agreement" or "sustain harmony", the core concept remains crucial for effective collaboration and decision-making. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources highlights its importance in discussions about cooperation, conflict resolution, and the pursuit of common goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve agreement

Focuses on the act of keeping an agreement intact.

sustain harmony

Emphasizes the importance of keeping a state of accord or agreement.

uphold accord

Highlights the need to support and defend an existing agreement.

foster unity

Stresses the act of encouraging and developing a sense of oneness or agreement.

secure concurrence

Focuses on ensuring that agreement is firmly established and protected.

ensure alignment

Highlights the act of making sure that different elements are in agreement or coordination.

promote unanimity

Emphasizes efforts to achieve a state of complete agreement among all parties.

retain solidarity

Focuses on preserving a sense of unity and mutual support within a group.

keep understanding

Highlights the need to maintain a shared comprehension or agreement on a particular issue.

continue alignment

Focuses on the ongoing effort to maintain coordination or agreement among different elements.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain a consensus" to describe the act of preserving agreement within a group. For example, "The leader worked hard to "maintain a consensus" among the team members regarding the project's goals."

What are some alternatives to "maintain a consensus"?

Alternatives include "preserve agreement", "sustain harmony", or "uphold accord", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to "maintain a consensus"?

While not always necessary, "maintaining a consensus" is often crucial for effective collaboration and decision-making, especially in complex projects or situations where diverse perspectives are involved.

What factors might hinder the ability to "maintain a consensus"?

Factors that can hinder the ability to "maintain a consensus" include poor communication, conflicting priorities, lack of trust, or significant changes in circumstances that undermine previous agreements.