mutual understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mutual understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an understanding shared by two or more people, such as an agreement on how to proceed in a situation. For example, "The two sides negotiated until they reached a mutual understanding on the terms of the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This implied a mutual understanding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their often-perfect mutual understanding fell apart.

The New York Times

We have a mutual understanding.

The Guardian - Film

Mutual understanding would be helpful.

The New York Times

This would increase mutual understanding.

The New York Times

It represents a gulf in mutual understanding.

The Guardian

Mutual understanding requires a correspondingly greater effort.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have a very good mutual understanding on this point".

The New York Times

"There's mutual understanding and cooperation on both sides," he said.

The Guardian

The Hasidim, uninterested in mutual understanding, simply didn't show up.

The New York Times - Books

In France, there is only mutual understanding and l'amour fou.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the resolution of conflict, highlight how dialogue creates a "mutual understanding", which in turn forges cooperation.

Common error

Don't assume that "mutual understanding" is present without explicit confirmation. Verify that all parties involved share the same interpretation and expectations to avoid misunderstandings. Consider following up the initial conversation by asking each side to summarize the "mutual understanding" reached in the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutual understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a shared comprehension or agreement. Examples in Ludwig show it describing successful negotiations, cooperative relationships, and peaceful coexistence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutual understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that signifies a shared comprehension or agreement. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across varied contexts, primarily within News & Media and Academia. To promote effective communication, confirm that all stakeholders' perceptions are in sync. For alternatives, you could use "shared understanding" or "common ground", if the writing requires it. This phrase will help create empathy and drive each party to work towards a solution acceptable for all the parties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared understanding

Emphasizes the shared aspect of the comprehension.

reciprocal comprehension

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the understanding.

meeting of minds

Implies a convergence of thoughts or opinions.

joint comprehension

Emphasizes that the understanding is shared between parties.

common ground

Highlights the area of agreement rather than the understanding itself.

agreement

Focuses on the result of understanding, which is an agreement.

accord

Similar to "concord", but can also refer to a harmony of feelings.

sympathetic understanding

Incorporates empathy into the shared understanding.

concord

Suggests a formal or official agreement.

empathy

Highlights the shared feeling and understanding of another's emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "mutual understanding" in a sentence?

"Mutual understanding" is used to describe a situation where two or more parties share the same comprehension of a subject, agreement, or situation. For example, "The negotiation led to a "mutual understanding" between the companies".

What are some alternatives to "mutual understanding"?

Alternatives include "shared understanding", "common ground", or "meeting of minds", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of shared comprehension.

Is "mutual understanding" redundant?

While "understanding" inherently implies a comprehension, "mutual understanding" emphasizes that the comprehension is shared. Using "mutual" clarifies that all parties involved have a similar interpretation, which is not necessarily redundant in all contexts.

How does "mutual understanding" contribute to conflict resolution?

"Mutual understanding" allows all the parties to have a complete comprehension of what each other want, which helps create empathy and drive each party to work towards a solution acceptable for all the parties. When different parties reach a "mutual understanding", cooperation is far more likely.