reached a mutual understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached a mutual understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where two or more parties have come to an agreement or shared perspective after discussion or negotiation. Example: "After several hours of negotiation, both sides finally reached a mutual understanding regarding the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A6 Negotiating Korean History American and South Korean negotiators reached a "mutual understanding" that American soldiers killed civilian refugees early in the Korean War, but left unresolved how many died, an American official said.

The New York Times

American and South Korean negotiators have reached a "mutual understanding" that American soldiers killed South Korean civilian refugees in the early weeks of the Korean War, but they left unresolved how many died, a Clinton administration official said today.

The New York Times

At the end of what felt like a very long hour with the warring parties, the girls reached a mutual understanding of the impact they were having on each other and signed up to an ongoing resolution process.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They said that if the patients are taken seriously and are talked to in a way that they understand, there is seldom difficulty reaching a mutual understanding about diagnostics and treatment.

BMC Medical Ethics

GPs sought to reach a mutual understanding of PSA testing if they thought the patient was able to understand the information required, and shared the responsibility of decisions and outcomes of the consultation with the individual man.

BMJ Open

Uchino's personal strategy is to talk to his frenemies and explain his issues – in the hope of reaching a mutual understanding.

BBC

Interdisciplinary forest management teams may more effectively reach a mutual understanding of expected changes in forest conditions, and of the effects of biophysical agents on those conditions.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

In networks, participants in decision-making processes cannot instantly reach a mutual understanding and gain a group insight, because there are too many messages that must be passed between participants.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

In the best of all worlds, the staff within each of the biotech's subcultures will reach a mutual understanding and respect for each other's expertise as well as the importance of their contribution to achieving a successful product.

Academia to Biotechnology Career Changes at Any Stage

Until these three groups can reach a mutual understanding of the views of the other stakeholders, and work together, CDS will not reach its potential.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The written comments include: Continue discussions to reach a mutual understanding (twenty five responses), the ethics committee involvement (three responses), asking for second opinion (two responses), respecting patients' wishes (four responses).

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached a mutual understanding" when you want to emphasize that different parties have not just agreed, but also grasp each other's perspectives and motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "reached a mutual understanding" when parties have merely conceded on a superficial issue but lack a deeper appreciation of the underlying issues. Ensure there's genuine comprehension, not just compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a mutual understanding" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that two or more parties have achieved a shared comprehension of a particular issue or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached a mutual understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase indicating agreement and comprehension between parties. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. While alternatives like "came to an agreement" or "achieved consensus" exist, "reached a mutual understanding" emphasizes the shared comprehension aspect. It's important to use it when genuine understanding, not just superficial agreement, has been achieved. The phrase is seen across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and general communications, proving its versatility and widespread acceptance in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to an agreement

Focuses on the act of agreeing, rather than the understanding itself.

achieved consensus

Highlights the collective agreement of a group.

found common ground

Emphasizes the shared basis for agreement.

arrived at a compromise

Suggests that each party made concessions to reach an agreement.

established a consensus

Emphasizes the formal establishment of the agreement.

came to terms

Highlights the acceptance of conditions or stipulations.

saw eye to eye

Focuses on having the same viewpoint.

were on the same page

Implies a shared understanding of the situation or goals.

found an accord

Suggests a formal agreement or settlement.

built rapport

Focuses on establishing a harmonious relationship, implying understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "reached a mutual understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "reached a mutual understanding" to describe situations where parties have not just agreed, but also understand each other's perspectives. For example: "After a long negotiation, the company and the union "reached a mutual understanding"".

What can I say instead of "reached a mutual understanding"?

Alternatives include "came to an agreement", "achieved consensus", or "found common ground", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reached a mutual understanding" or "came to a compromise"?

"Reached a mutual understanding" implies a deeper comprehension between parties, whereas "came to a compromise" suggests concessions were made, but not necessarily with full understanding. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize understanding or concession.

What's the difference between "mutual understanding" and "common ground"?

"Mutual understanding" refers to comprehending each other's viewpoints, while "common ground" suggests shared interests or beliefs. You can have common ground without a full mutual understanding, and vice versa.