reaching agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of coming to a consensus or mutual understanding between parties. Example: "After several hours of negotiation, the two sides were finally reaching agreement on the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Reaching agreement with other claimants seems impossible.

The Economist

This question has long been debated without reaching agreement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reaching agreement even earlier would save time and money.

The Economist

Negotiators are having most difficulty reaching agreement on agricultural trade and manufactured goods.

The Guardian - Business

"Reaching agreement ahead of schedule is not something for which we are famous," he deadpanned.

The New York Times

Mr. Hakim warned that reaching agreement might not be quick or easy.

The New York Times

Reaching agreement with Microsoft, however, is only part of the plaintiffs' task.

The New York Times

However, they made it clear throughout that this was dependent on reaching agreement with the FAPL.

The Guardian - Sport

But bringing these schemes together and reaching agreement in 2015 is still a long way off.

The Guardian

Lawmakers said there were other hurdles to reaching agreement on drug benefits.

The New York Times

The two sides appeared further away than ever from reaching agreement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reaching agreement" when you want to emphasize the process of discussion and negotiation that leads to a mutual understanding or accord. It suggests active participation from all parties involved.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is actively "reaching agreement". Instead of saying "Agreement was reached", specify who reached the agreement for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching agreement" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the process of parties coming to a mutual understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, and its varied examples show its versatility in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reaching agreement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the process of arriving at a consensus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is commonly found in news, business, and academic sources, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Alternatives include "coming to terms" and "arriving at a consensus", each with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, prioritize active voice to clearly identify who is participating in the agreement process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arriving at a consensus

Emphasizes a collective agreement where all parties are generally in accord.

finding common ground

Emphasizes the discovery of shared interests that enable agreement.

achieving accord

Stresses the harmony and alignment resulting from the agreement.

building consensus

Highlights the gradual process of forming agreement.

coming to terms

Focuses on accepting conditions after negotiation, implying a compromise.

concluding an understanding

Highlights the end result of negotiations, signifying a mutual comprehension.

forging a compromise

Highlights the effort in creating an agreement that satisfies different interests.

settling on a resolution

Implies resolving a dispute or problem through an agreement.

striking a deal

Focuses on the transactional aspect of the agreement, often in business contexts.

closing the deal

Similar to "striking a deal" focusing more on the formal conclusion of the agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "reaching agreement" in a sentence?

"Reaching agreement" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. For example, "Reaching agreement on the budget proved challenging" or "The key to success is "reaching agreement" early on".

What are some alternatives to "reaching agreement"?

Alternatives include "coming to terms", "arriving at a consensus", "forging a compromise", or "achieving accord" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reaching agreement" or "achieving agreement"?

Both "reaching agreement" and "achieving agreement" are grammatically correct. "Reaching agreement" emphasizes the process and effort involved, while "achieving agreement" highlights the successful outcome. The choice depends on the context and what you want to emphasize.

What does "reaching agreement" imply in negotiations?

In negotiations, "reaching agreement" signifies that parties have successfully navigated their differences and found a mutually acceptable solution. It suggests a process of compromise, discussion, and accommodation of various interests.