secure an agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

'secure an agreement' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of finalizing a formal agreement between two or more parties. For example, "The two companies worked together to secure an agreement about the terms of the merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The executive said that he hoped to secure an agreement by the end of July.

The New York Times

He said he expected to secure an agreement with them by the end of the year.

The New York Times

The talks aim to secure an agreement at a meeting in Copenhagen this time next year.

The Guardian

A government without the settler lobbyists may have greater room for manoeuvre to secure an agreement with the Palestinians.

The Economist

Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland secretary, has called on the parties to secure an agreement before Christmas.

The Guardian

He is likely to secure an agreement on greater co-operation over clean-energy development between the two countries.

The Economist

What I cannot say is if he is willing to agree to what is needed to secure an agreement".

The New York Times

The broadcasters rightly argue it is an achievement in itself to secure an agreement between competing organisations.

The Guardian

But since then, there have been a number of developments that have made it much harder to secure an agreement.

The Guardian

People close to the talks say that many more meetings would be needed to secure an agreement.

The New York Times

That number will climb if, as is inevitable, she has to make further concessions in Brussels to secure an agreement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "secure an agreement", ensure all parties have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions to avoid future disputes.

Common error

A common mistake is to focus solely on securing the agreement without thoroughly reviewing all the detailed terms. Always prioritize a comprehensive review to ensure the agreement aligns with your objectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure an agreement" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where 'secure' acts as a transitive verb taking 'an agreement' as its direct object. Ludwig confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

16%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure an agreement" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the successful finalization of an agreement. According to Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase, with 'secure' acting as a transitive verb. Its usage spans across neutral and professional registers, most frequently appearing in News & Media. When writing, ensure a clear understanding of the terms to be agreed upon. Consider alternatives like "reach a consensus" or "finalize a deal" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finalize a deal

Emphasizes the concluding steps of negotiation.

reach a consensus

Focuses on the collective agreement rather than the act of securing it.

conclude negotiations

Highlights the end of the negotiation process, implying an agreement has been reached.

arrive at a settlement

Focuses on the process of achieving an agreement after a period of discussion or dispute.

close a transaction

More specific to business contexts, referring to the completion of a business deal.

seal a bargain

Emphasizes the finality and binding nature of the agreement.

broker a settlement

Implies mediation and resolution of a dispute.

hammer out a deal

Describes the often difficult process of reaching an agreement through intense negotiation.

forge a pact

Suggests a strong alliance or agreement, often used in political contexts.

ratify a treaty

Specifically refers to the formal approval of an international agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure an agreement" to describe the act of successfully finalizing an agreement, such as: "The company worked diligently to secure an agreement with its suppliers."

What are some alternatives to "secure an agreement"?

Alternatives include "reach a consensus", "finalize a deal", or "conclude negotiations" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "secure an agreement" and "reach an agreement"?

"Secure an agreement" emphasizes the effort and actions taken to finalize the agreement, while "reach an agreement" simply indicates that an agreement has been achieved, without necessarily highlighting the process.

What does it mean to "secure an agreement" in business negotiations?

In business, to "secure an agreement" means to successfully negotiate and finalize the terms of a deal, ensuring that all parties are committed and the deal is legally binding.