secure an accord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure an accord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reaching an agreement or settlement, often in formal or diplomatic contexts. Example: "The two countries worked tirelessly to secure an accord that would benefit both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

While Mr Zelaya has seemed reluctant to accept some of these conditions, Mr Micheletti has been even more intransigent, saying he would "never" allow the president's reinstatement.The United States is now best placed to secure an accord.

The Economist

One of Mr. Barak's declared objectives has been to secure an accord that would enable him to announce that it was a final agreement settling all Palestinian claims on Israel.

The New York Times

The next day, in Vienna, she used the U.S. offer to secure an accord with Russia, China and the Europeans to present Iran with a choice of either inducements to return to negotiations or face action in the Security Council.

The Washington Post

With the German chancellor Angela Merkel insisting that a deal must be reached before markets open on Monday morning, Greece is now running out of time to secure an accord and make a €1.6bn payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Business

But in political terms, Brexit has seemingly upended the laws of physics, and May signaled she would push ahead in her increasingly quixotic efforts to secure an accord.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (1615 18) to the Mughal court secured an accord (in the form of a farmān, or grant of privileges) by which the English secured the right to trade and to establish factories in return for becoming the virtual naval auxiliaries of the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Around 400,000 students have had their university places confirmed so far, but a quarter of applicants are yet to secure an offer, according to Ucas statistics.

The Guardian

She met a number of veterans, as well as parents who are employed but are struggling to save up to secure an apartment, according to SFGate.

Huffington Post

A senior Bush administration official said the Clinton administration had been too generous in trying to secure a missile accord.

The New York Times

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is also reaching out to world leaders and his domestic opponents to secure a landmark accord that he hopes could help achieve the economic and political reforms he promised Iranians when he was elected.

BBC

He offers a persuasive argument for the proposition that the Obama administration will not make the minimal concessions needed to secure a nuclear accord with Iran.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secure an accord" when you want to emphasize the effort or actions taken to finalize an agreement, particularly in situations involving negotiation or diplomacy. It suggests a proactive approach to achieving consensus.

Common error

Avoid using "secure an accord" in casual conversation or informal writing. This phrase carries a formal tone and is more appropriate for official reports, news articles, or academic papers. For informal contexts, consider using phrases like "reach an agreement" or "make a deal" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure an accord" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "secure" acts as a transitive verb and "an accord" serves as its direct object. This suggests an action taken to obtain or finalize an agreement. Ludwig confirms that this construction is used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure an accord" is a grammatically sound and formally registered expression, primarily employed in news and media to convey the achievement of an agreement after some deliberate effort. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its relative infrequency suggests it is best reserved for situations where a formal, negotiated agreement is central to the narrative. Alternatives such as "reach an agreement" may be more appropriate in less formal contexts. The expression is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Emphasizes the act of coming to a mutual understanding or settlement.

conclude a treaty

Focuses on a formal agreement between nations or entities.

broker a deal

Highlights the process of mediating to achieve an agreement.

forge a consensus

Stresses the effort to build agreement among different parties.

hammer out a compromise

Suggests a difficult negotiation process to reach a settlement.

seal a pact

Implies a formal and binding agreement.

arrive at a settlement

Focuses on reaching a resolution to a dispute or negotiation.

negotiate a resolution

Highlights the diplomatic process of reaching an understanding.

strike a bargain

Implies a mutually beneficial exchange or agreement.

close a transaction

Focuses on the finalization of a business agreement or deal.

FAQs

How can I use "secure an accord" in a sentence?

You can use "secure an accord" to describe the action of successfully reaching an agreement or settlement, particularly after negotiations. For example: "The diplomats worked tirelessly to secure an accord between the warring nations."

What can I say instead of "secure an accord"?

You can use alternatives like "reach an agreement", "conclude a treaty", or "broker a deal" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "secure an accord" or "reach an agreement"?

"Secure an accord" implies a deliberate effort to obtain a formal agreement, often after some difficulty, while "reach an agreement" is a more general term for coming to a mutual understanding. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of situations is "secure an accord" most suitable for?

"Secure an accord" is most suitable for formal situations involving diplomacy, international relations, or high-level negotiations. It is often used when describing efforts to resolve conflicts or establish cooperative relationships between entities.