reaching a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"reaching a consensus" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means coming to an agreement or finding common ground among a group of people. Example: "After several hours of negotiations, the team finally succeeded in reaching a consensus on the new project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Reaching a consensus is complicated".

The New York Times

But now we seem to be reaching a consensus.

The New York Times

In a village of such contrasting opinions, reaching a consensus may not be easy.

The New York Times

Moreover, the military leaders had trouble reaching a consensus on what to do.

The New Yorker

Federal officials have criticized Mr. Gansler for filing charges before reaching a consensus with other prosecutors.

The New York Times

Even with a renewed focus on the issue, reaching a consensus will not be easy.

The New York Times

But the discussion also indicated just how far apart the groups were from reaching a consensus.

The New York Times

We seem to be reaching a consensus on the Sonnambula and Tosca!

The New Yorker

The truth is the major parties are reaching a consensus on gay equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

They interviewed Mr. Kubovy for six months before reaching a consensus.

The New York Times - Arts

NAILING down a site required reaching a consensus among the three villages that constitute First Mesa.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reaching a consensus", ensure all parties involved have an equal opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. This fosters a more inclusive and effective decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid stating that a group is "reaching a consensus" if significant dissenting opinions still exist. Ensure genuine agreement, not just the appearance of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching a consensus" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in describing ongoing efforts to achieve agreement in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reaching a consensus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a collaborative decision-making process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the idea of working towards an agreement. Its prevalence in news, science, and formal business contexts highlights its versatility and importance in professional communication. While numerous sources demonstrate proper usage, it's important to ensure that true agreement, not just the appearance of it, has been achieved. Related phrases such as "achieving agreement" or "finding common ground" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with its own specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving agreement

Focuses on the successful outcome of the process, emphasizing the state of being in agreement.

finding common ground

Highlights the process of discovering shared beliefs or interests as a basis for agreement.

arriving at a decision

Emphasizes the final decision point after discussion and deliberation.

forging a compromise

Implies mutual concessions to achieve an agreement, especially when initial positions differ.

coming to terms

Suggests an acceptance of conditions or facts, often after a period of negotiation or resistance.

settling on a resolution

Indicates the formal or decisive end to a discussion or dispute with an agreed solution.

establishing accord

Focuses on creating harmony and agreement, often in formal or official contexts.

obtaining concurrence

Highlights the act of getting agreement or approval, particularly from authorities or stakeholders.

building unity

Stresses the importance of creating a unified stance or purpose among a group.

developing a shared understanding

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of agreement, emphasizing mutual comprehension and perspective.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "reaching a consensus" in a sentence?

Use "reaching a consensus" to describe a process where a group is actively working towards an agreement. For example, "The committee spent hours "reaching a consensus" on the budget proposal".

What are some alternatives to "reaching a consensus"?

You can use alternatives like "achieving agreement", "finding common ground", or "arriving at a decision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "reach a consensus" or "reaching a consensus"?

"Reach a consensus" is an infinitive or imperative form, while ""reaching a consensus"" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "We aim to reach a consensus", or "Reaching a consensus is essential for effective teamwork".

What does "reaching a consensus" imply about the decision-making process?

It implies a collaborative and often lengthy process where different viewpoints are considered and discussed until a mutually acceptable agreement is found. This contrasts with autocratic decision-making, where one person makes the decision.