reach a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach a consensus" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to indicate that two or more people are attempting to agree on a decision, plan of action, or opinion on a certain matter. For example, "The board of directors discussed the proposed budget at length and were eventually able to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Can we reach a consensus?

The New Yorker

But the brothers couldn't reach a consensus.

The New York Times - Sports

We try to reach a consensus".

The New York Times

Gove says it takes two to reach a consensus.

The Guardian

I am hoping we can reach a consensus".

The New York Times

The question, he added, was how to reach a consensus.

The New York Times

Sometimes we'll reach a consensus, sometimes we won't".

The New York Times

But we want some revisions to reach a consensus".

The Economist

This study demonstrates an urgent need to reach a consensus understanding of long-term ionospheric trends.

Advances in Space Research

Arguments for the excess of DM do not reach a consensus, but are not mutually exclusive.

Advances in Space Research

Demars has asked the Advisory Committee to try to reach a consensus on the budget cuts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about group decisions, use "reach a consensus" to emphasize that the final decision reflects a shared understanding and agreement among all members involved.

Common error

Avoid using "reach a consensus" when the situation actually reflects a unanimous decision. A consensus implies that while not everyone may fully agree with every aspect, all parties support the overall outcome. Unanimity means everyone is in complete agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a consensus" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of arriving at a collective agreement, indicating a process of discussion and compromise, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reach a consensus" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of a group arriving at a shared agreement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While alternatives like "establish a consensus" or "achieve a consensus" exist, "reach a consensus" emphasizes the active process of discussion and negotiation. It's important to use this phrase accurately, distinguishing it from unanimity, and recognizing that a consensus implies broad support rather than complete agreement from every individual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Establish a consensus

This emphasizes the act of creating a shared agreement or understanding.

Achieve a consensus

Focuses on the successful attainment of an agreement.

Arrive at a consensus

Focuses on the process of gradually coming to a shared agreement.

Forge a consensus

Suggests a more active and deliberate effort to build agreement.

Build a consensus

Highlights the construction of an agreement from different viewpoints.

Develop a consensus

Emphasizes the building or growing of a shared understanding over time.

Reach a compromise

Implies concessions from different parties to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome.

Reach a broad agreement

Highlights the comprehensiveness and widespread acceptance of the agreement.

Come to an agreement

A more general term for achieving accord, not necessarily a full consensus.

Find common ground

Focuses on identifying shared beliefs or interests to facilitate agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach a consensus" to describe a group's decision-making process, for example: "After a lengthy debate, the committee managed to "reach a consensus" on the budget allocation".

What are some alternatives to "reach a consensus"?

Some alternatives include "achieve a consensus", "establish a consensus", or "reach an agreement", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "reach a consensus" or "take a vote"?

"Reach a consensus" implies a more collaborative and inclusive decision-making process, while "take a vote" suggests a more formal and potentially divisive approach. The best method depends on the group dynamics and the importance of ensuring everyone feels heard.

What does it mean when a group fails to "reach a consensus"?

If a group fails to "reach a consensus", it means they were unable to find a solution or make a decision that everyone could support. This may lead to further discussion, compromise, or the use of an alternative decision-making method.