reaching consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of coming to an agreement or shared decision among a group of people. Example: "After several hours of discussion, the committee was finally reaching consensus on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has had a chilling effect on reaching consensus".

The New York Times

But she added, "He sometimes acts and speaks too fast and impulsively without reaching consensus first".

The New York Times

In addition to reaching consensus on business goals, it's vital to agree on buyer personas.

The Guardian

Although opposition leaders agree on the need for a bailout, reaching consensus will not be easy.

The New York Times

Even as climate modelers have been reaching consensus on the view that the threat is worse than we realized, economic modelers have been reaching consensus on the view that the costs of emission control are lower than many feared.

The New York Times

But getting together around the kava bowl in laid-back Pacific style is their way of reaching consensus.

The Guardian

Reaching consensus was probably wise on the part of the bipartisan commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks.

The New York Times

For more than a year after Iyal's 3rd birthday, child psychiatrists, pediatricians and specialists examined him without reaching consensus.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its members have completed what is possibly the hardest part of creating such a community: reaching consensus on defining values.

The New York Times

Discussion among evaluators and reaching consensus ensured reliability.

Health & Justice

Diversity means having such different reference points that reaching consensus is a challenge.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "reaching consensus" to emphasize the process and effort involved in coming to an agreement, especially when highlighting collaboration or negotiation.

Common error

Avoid using "consensus" as a plural noun. "Consensus" itself represents a collective agreement, so it doesn't need a plural form or plural agreement. For example, it's correct to say "reaching consensus" rather than "reaching consensuses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching consensus" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. It describes the process of a group coming to an agreement or shared decision. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reaching consensus" is a grammatically correct and common gerund phrase used to describe the process of a group achieving agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. It's often found in professional, academic, and news contexts, emphasizing collaboration and negotiation. While alternatives like "achieving agreement" and "finding common ground" exist, "reaching consensus" specifically highlights the effort involved in the process. When using this phrase, ensure that "consensus" is treated as a singular noun, and remember that the context often determines its formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving agreement

Focuses on the result of the process rather than the ongoing effort.

finding common ground

Emphasizes the shared basis for agreement.

arriving at a consensus

Highlights the finality of the agreement.

coming to an agreement

Similar to achieving agreement but with a slightly different emphasis.

building consensus

Stresses the constructive aspect of creating agreement.

forging a consensus

Implies a stronger, more deliberate effort to create agreement.

developing a consensus

Focuses on the gradual evolution of agreement.

establishing agreement

Highlights the formal or official nature of the agreement.

settling on a decision

Implies a more decisive and perhaps less collaborative agreement.

obtaining concurrence

A more formal way of expressing agreement or approval.

FAQs

How do you use "reaching consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching consensus" to describe the process of a group coming to an agreement. For example, "After a long debate, the committee focused on "reaching consensus" on the budget proposal."

What are some alternatives to "reaching consensus"?

You can use alternatives like "achieving agreement", "finding common ground", or "arriving at a consensus" depending on the context.

Is "reaching consensus" formal or informal?

"Reaching consensus" can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it's generally more common in professional, academic, and news contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding language and context than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "reaching consensus" and "reach consensus"?

"Reaching consensus" emphasizes the ongoing process of coming to an agreement, while "reach consensus" focuses on the completed action of achieving agreement. For example, "They are "reaching consensus"" highlights the effort, while "They "reach consensus"" states the achievement.