reach common ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reach common ground" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more parties disagree, but have to come to an agreement. For example, "The two sides had difficulty coming to an agreement, but eventually they were able to reach common ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Turnbull welcomed Shorten's promise to seek to reach common ground.

The Guardian

He is prepared to reach common ground, but only if the other side is ready to reach common ground".

The New York Times

After listening without defensiveness to each other's opinions, they were able to reach common ground.

Harvard Business Review

"For all of them to reach common ground really is momentous".

The New York Times

When both sides are stuck in this trap, it becomes all the more difficult to reach common ground.

Harvard University

Mr. Jha, of Qualcomm, said he believes that Google is working with carriers to reach common ground.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But at the end the club and I reached common ground.

The Guardian - Sport

"As the parties polarize, it really complicates reaching common ground on big, tough issues," Binder told me.

The Washington Post

As a result, the public space for reaching common ground, a basic starting point for a functioning democracy, has diminished.

The Washington Post

""Keeping the paper company land a working forest is an example of reaching common ground and not imposing measures without considering their economic consequences".

The New York Times

By Avi Zenilman March 4, 2009 While Benjamin Netanyahu claims he reached common ground with Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State says she pushed for opening the Gaza border.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reach common ground" to emphasize the collaborative effort needed to overcome disagreements and achieve a shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "reach common ground" when parties only partially agree or have unresolved issues. The phrase implies a complete or substantial agreement, not just minor concessions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach common ground" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of finding a basis for agreement or mutual understanding between parties with differing viewpoints. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reach common ground" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of finding a basis for agreement or mutual understanding between parties with differing viewpoints. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. The phrase emphasizes successful conflict resolution through negotiation and compromise. Some alternative phrases include "find common ground", "achieve consensus", and "come to an agreement". When using "reach common ground", ensure that the agreement is substantial and not merely a minor concession.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find common ground

Replaces "reach" with "find", emphasizing the act of discovering shared interests.

achieve consensus

Focuses on the outcome of reaching an agreement that everyone supports.

come to an agreement

Highlights the act of agreeing, downplaying the aspect of conflicting viewpoints.

find a compromise

Emphasizes mutual concessions to achieve resolution.

settle differences

Centers on resolving disagreements and conflicts.

reconcile viewpoints

Highlights the process of aligning different perspectives.

build consensus

Focuses on the active process of constructing agreement among parties.

establish mutual understanding

Emphasizes the development of understanding as a key component.

meet halfway

Highlights the willingness of both parties to make concessions.

find a middle ground

Suggests locating a position acceptable to all parties, differing from initial stances.

FAQs

What does it mean to "reach common ground"?

To "reach common ground" means that two or more parties with differing opinions or interests have found a basis for agreement or understanding, typically through discussion and compromise.

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

You can use "reach common ground" to describe situations where people or groups have managed to find a point of agreement, for example: "After a long negotiation, the union and the company were able to "reach common ground" on salary increases."

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

You can use alternatives like "achieve consensus", "come to an agreement", or "find a compromise" to express a similar meaning depending on the specific context.

Is "reach common ground" a formal or informal expression?

"Reach common ground" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications, as well as in everyday conversations.