reach an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach an understanding" is a correct and very commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that two people have come to a mutually beneficial agreement after a discussion or negotiation. For example, "After weeks of negotiation, the two sides were able to reach an understanding on the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So to reach an understanding of the princess's pronunciation, we must also understand the author's.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We tried to reach an understanding with the soldiers.

The New York Times - Magazine

The two sides could not reach an understanding.

The Economist

Dean Andyy Milder, Doug Kevin Nealonon) and Celia (Elizabeth Perkins) reach an understanding.

The New York Times

How are we ever going to reach an understanding through violence?

The Guardian

He has said that he wants visitors to reach an understanding of the "other".

The New York Times - Arts

During the visit he was able to reach an understanding with all the stakeholders.

The New York Times

During this conversation Mr. Chamberlain again emphasized his desire to reach an understanding with Germany.

Yale University

Baseball officials and the five partners have negotiated all week, but they have been unable to reach an understanding.

The New York Times - Sports

And the first crucial, tricky task for the new regime is to reach an understanding with Lara.

The Guardian - Sport

To reach an understanding of this awful turn of events, one has only to reach back a few months.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "reach an understanding" when highlighting a positive outcome of discussions or negotiations, especially where initial viewpoints differed.

Common error

Avoid using "reach an understanding" in situations where the nature of the agreement or understanding is ambiguous. Always provide sufficient context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach an understanding" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the act of achieving mutual comprehension or agreement between parties. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reach an understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, indicating that parties have achieved mutual comprehension or agreement. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is common across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. Alternatives such as "come to an agreement" or "arrive at a consensus" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Using this phrase correctly involves ensuring the context clearly identifies the subject of understanding and avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to an agreement

Focuses on the result of the discussion, emphasizing the agreed-upon terms.

arrive at a consensus

Highlights the collective agreement reached by a group.

find common ground

Emphasizes the shared beliefs or interests discovered during a discussion.

forge a compromise

Implies a mutual concession to achieve a workable solution.

build rapport

Stresses the establishment of a harmonious relationship leading to understanding.

develop a mutual comprehension

Highlights the development of shared knowledge or awareness.

establish a common perspective

Focuses on creating a shared viewpoint on a particular issue.

iron out differences

Implies resolving disagreements to achieve a clearer understanding.

settle differences

Focuses on concluding disputes and discord in opinions.

see eye to eye

Suggests complete agreement and shared understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "reach an understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "reach an understanding" to describe how parties involved come to a mutual agreement. For example, "After lengthy negotiations, the company and the union were able to "reach an understanding"".

What are some alternatives to "reach an understanding"?

Alternatives include "come to an agreement", "arrive at a consensus", or "find common ground". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reach an understanding" or "reach agreement"?

"Reach an understanding" implies a cognitive alignment or mutual comprehension, while "reach agreement" focuses more on a formal accord or contract. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize comprehension or formal agreement.

What does it mean to "reach an understanding" in a negotiation?

In a negotiation, to "reach an understanding" means that all parties have grasped each other's positions and have found a way to align their interests, paving the way for a potential agreement or compromise.