obtain agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

"obtain agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to refer to getting someone to agree to something. For example, "I am trying to obtain agreement from my boss to let me work from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The difficulty is to obtain agreement from both sides to accept and to respect international arrangements.

The Guardian

The negotiating program had to be watered down so much to obtain agreement that one Japanese trade official called the delicately constructed declaration "a perfect balance of unhappiness".

The New York Times

And when Internet stocks reached their high early this year, America Online was able to obtain agreement to buy the largest media company, Time Warner, even though it was four times AOL's size.

The New York Times

It's still one big opaque maze until Geithner can obtain agreement from 17 strong-willed firms.

Forbes

With the hard-sphere plus stereochemical constraint model, we obtain agreement between the model predictions and the observed side-chain dihedral angle distributions for Leu and Ile.

Biophysical Journal

However, as can be seen later, the proper choice of the TB on-site energies and coupling terms allows us to to obtain agreement with the DFT results.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Clift Hotel in San Francisco, owned by Ian Schrager, filed a petition yesterday to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the hotel could not obtain agreements from all bondholders about a proposed refinancing plan.

The New York Times

[C3.] Schrager Hotel Files Chapter 11 Ian Schrager's Clift Hotel in San Francisco filed a petition to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after it could not obtain agreements from all bondholders about a proposed refinancing plan.

The New York Times

We won't leave the street till we have obtained agreement on early elections".

The Guardian

He flew almost directly from that meeting to a Western Hemisphere summit in Miami, and there he obtained agreement to a Free Trade Area of the Americas.

The New Yorker

He says he was "not wholly persuaded" by the argument and this year he sought and obtained agreement to disclose the number.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtain agreement" when you need to emphasize a formal or procedural process of reaching a consensus or approval. For example, in business negotiations or legal settings.

Common error

While "obtain agreement" is correct, avoid using it in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "get agreement" or "agree" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain agreement" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of successfully reaching a mutual understanding or consensus, often in formal or official settings. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtain agreement" is a versatile phrase that describes the action of achieving consensus or approval. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in scientific, news, and business contexts. While effective, consider context-appropriate alternatives like "secure agreement" or "reach consensus" to prevent overuse. Remember that while "obtain agreement" is suitable for formal settings, simpler phrases might be better for casual conversations. The key is to tailor your language to your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secure agreement

Replaces "obtain" with a synonym, emphasizing the act of making the agreement certain.

reach consensus

Focuses on the process of arriving at a shared understanding or opinion.

come to an agreement

Highlights the arrival point of a negotiation or discussion.

arrive at a consensus

Similar to "reach consensus", emphasizing the act of achieving a shared opinion.

gain approval

Focuses on receiving formal permission or support.

get the nod

An informal way of saying "gain approval".

win endorsement

Emphasizes persuading someone to publicly support something.

garner support

Focuses on accumulating backing from various sources.

elicit concurrence

A more formal way of saying "obtain agreement".

foster accord

Highlights the creation of harmony or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain agreement" in sentences like, "The negotiator worked diligently to "obtain agreement" from all parties involved", or "It is crucial to "obtain agreement" before proceeding with the project".

What are some alternatives to "obtain agreement"?

Some alternatives include "secure agreement", "reach consensus", or "come to an agreement". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "obtain agreement" or "get agreement"?

"Obtain agreement" is more formal, while "get agreement" is more casual. Use ""obtain agreement"" in professional or official settings and "get agreement" in informal situations.

What's the difference between "obtain agreement" and "gain approval"?

"Obtain agreement" implies a mutual understanding and consent, while "gain approval" suggests receiving formal permission or endorsement. The difference lies in whether you're seeking consensus or authorization.