reach a common ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reach a common ground" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more parties, or people, are discussing an issue and need to come to an agreement. For example, "We couldn't agree on anything, so we decided to try to reach a common ground before deciding on next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ultimately, they reach a common ground.

The New York Times

This model of design education, in which the studio group is regarded as a network, proposes that by setting up the primary underlying framework, students ultimately reach a common ground through their individual learning experiences that lead to a wide range of design variations.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

If Messrs Salmond and Co are really trying to reach a common ground on independence and do truly wish to see the Queen remain the head of state of an independent Scotland then this action will do nothing to help.

BBC

Manfred can unilaterally implement these changes if necessary, but he had indicated in the past he hoped to reach a common ground with the players.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now, as festivals welcome a new wave of young avant-garde rhymers like A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Tyler, The Creator, and Vic Mensa to the forefront – festival culture and rap have seemingly reached a common ground.

Forbes

The tone in the learners become critical in reaching an agreement to establish a common ground for their collaboration using cues e.g. " So we assume" and "Do we agree?

BMC Medical Education

This paper will outline the design, implementation, and assessment of information literacy sessions and will highlight the importance of collaboration between faculty and librarians to set a common ground and reach expected outcomes.

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

At the Forests Asia Summit 2014, held in Jakarta on Monday and Tuesday, a high-profile lineup of government officials, business executives, environmentalists, community activists and scientists reached a surprising common ground on the need to address deforestation.

Science Magazine

Sergeant Hiller-Cousins shed she believes that part of the reason a common ground was reached here is that many of the National Guard families themselves feel ambivalence about the war.

The New York Times

Perhaps a common ground can be reached that promotes effective HIV testing that is inline with current perspectives on medical and public health ethics.

BMC Medical Ethics

Martin N. Baily, who was an adviser to President Clinton, said the situation "was such a disaster that we felt an obligation to reach some common ground".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reach a common ground", ensure that all parties involved are willing to compromise and actively listen to each other's perspectives.

Common error

Don't mistake "reach a common ground" for full agreement. It often means finding a mutually acceptable middle ground, not necessarily complete alignment on all points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a common ground" functions as a verb phrase, where "reach" is the main verb and "a common ground" is the object. It describes the action of finding an area of agreement or shared understanding. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach a common ground" is a commonly used phrase that indicates the act of finding an area of agreement or compromise between differing parties. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While not always guaranteeing complete agreement, it signifies a willingness to find a mutually acceptable middle ground. When using this phrase, ensure all parties are open to compromise and actively listen to each other. Be aware that it does not always mean full agreement. Exploring alternatives such as "find a compromise" or "come to an agreement" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to achieve agreement.

find mutual understanding

Highlights the aspect of understanding each other's perspectives.

come to an agreement

Emphasizes the act of formally agreeing.

settle differences

Suggests resolving disagreements.

find a consensus

Implies a collective agreement.

meet halfway

Suggests both parties make concessions.

find commonality

Highlights discovering shared interests or beliefs.

build consensus

Focuses on the process of achieving collective agreement.

harmonize viewpoints

Emphasizes aligning different perspectives.

reconcile conflicting views

Suggests bringing opposing viewpoints into agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "reach a common ground" in a sentence?

You can use "reach a common ground" to describe finding an area of agreement between conflicting parties. For instance, "After hours of negotiation, the union and the management were able to "reach a common ground" on salary increases."

What are some alternatives to "reach a common ground"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "find a compromise", "come to an agreement", or "settle differences".

Is it always possible to "reach a common ground" in a negotiation?

While it's always the goal, it's not always guaranteed. Sometimes, fundamental differences prevent parties from "reaching a consensus" or any form of agreement.

What's the difference between "reach a common ground" and "find a consensus"?

"Reach a common ground" implies finding some shared agreement, even if minor. "Find a consensus" suggests a more complete agreement where everyone is on board.