reaching a settlement

USAGE SUMMARY

"reaching a settlement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means coming to an agreement or compromise in a dispute or disagreement. Example: After weeks of negotiations, the two sides finally succeeded in reaching a settlement on the terms of the contract.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Andy Wilson on Matthew Maynard and Glamorgan reaching a settlement.

The Guardian - Sport

It won't make reaching a settlement any easier".

The New York Times

We ended up suing them and reaching a settlement.

The Guardian - Music

19], says the "Standard," and invited the railway companies to co-operate in reaching a settlement.

The New York Times

The agency is close to reaching a settlement with the firm, according to these people.

The New York Times

The chances of reaching a settlement before May 1st are slim.

The Economist

Early Wednesday, both sides had indicated that they were close to reaching a settlement.

The New York Times

In her testimony, D.B. alluded to reaching a settlement with Riley.

The New Yorker

He also implied that the United Nations could play a crucial role in reaching a settlement.

The New York Times

The regulator has said it is still open to reaching a settlement with Green.

The Guardian - Business

They maintain that reaching a settlement and keeping the N.B.A. intact is their priority.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use precise language to clarify whether "reaching a settlement" refers to an out-of-court resolution or a court-approved agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "resolution" as a direct substitute for "settlement" in legal contexts. A settlement specifically implies an agreement between parties to resolve a dispute, often involving concessions. A "resolution", while similar, is a broader term that may refer to solving a problem without necessarily involving a formal agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching a settlement" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of coming to an agreement, particularly in resolving disputes, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reaching a settlement" is a very common and grammatically correct gerund phrase, primarily used in news and formal business contexts to describe the resolution of disputes through mutual agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard phrase in English writing. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately conveying that a formal agreement has been achieved, and be mindful of the specific legal or business implications. Alternatives such as "arriving at a resolution" or "concluding an agreement" can offer slightly different shades of meaning, depending on the specific context. Finally, remember not to confuse this phrase with similar but distinct concepts, such as "winning a case".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arriving at a resolution

Focuses on the conclusion of a problem or conflict but is more generic than a settlement, lacking the legal or formal implication.

concluding an agreement

Emphasizes the act of finalizing a deal or understanding, slightly broader than settling a specific dispute.

forging a compromise

Highlights the process of mutual concession to achieve accord, unlike "settlement" which implies ending a dispute.

achieving reconciliation

Stresses the restoration of friendly relations, which might be the outcome of reaching a settlement but is not inherent to the term.

brokering a deal

Implies an intermediary helped facilitate the agreement, whereas "reaching a settlement" doesn't specify the method.

coming to terms

Focuses on accepting the conditions or requirements, which is a step toward reaching a settlement but not the settlement itself.

negotiating a resolution

Emphasizes the negotiation process leading to a resolution, while "reaching a settlement" is the outcome.

settling an arrangement

Highlights the formalization of an agreement, similar to reaching a settlement but may apply to less contentious situations.

obtaining an accord

Suggests a formal agreement is secured, more formal than "reaching a settlement" in some contexts.

finalizing an understanding

Focuses on solidifying a mutual comprehension or agreement, without necessarily implying a dispute resolution.

FAQs

What does "reaching a settlement" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "reaching a settlement" means that the parties involved in a dispute have come to a mutual agreement that resolves the issue, often involving concessions from both sides and avoiding a trial.

How is "reaching a settlement" different from "winning a case"?

"Reaching a settlement" implies a compromise where both parties agree to specific terms to resolve a dispute. "Winning a case", on the other hand, means that one party has prevailed in court, and the court has ruled in their favor.

What are some alternatives to "reaching a settlement" in a negotiation context?

In a negotiation context, you can use alternatives like "concluding an agreement", "forging a compromise", or "arriving at a resolution" to express a similar idea.

Is "reaching a settlement" always a positive outcome?

While "reaching a settlement" often signifies a resolution to a dispute, whether it's a positive outcome depends on the specific terms of the agreement and the perspectives of the parties involved. A settlement may be seen as favorable if it avoids lengthy and costly litigation, even if it requires some concessions.