seek consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a point that it is important for people/groups to work together to reach an agreement. For example, "If we want to make this decision, we must seek consensus among all stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We seek consensus.

The New York Times - Magazine

Senior ministers seek consensus in a series of conclaves.

The Economist

He urged them to nurture civility, curb partisanship, and seek consensus through strong leadership.

Princeton University

On many key domestic issues, Singh said the BJP would seek consensus.

The Guardian

Obama went the extra mile to seek consensus in Washington this past year.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the announcement of the final results we will seek consensus," he said.

The Guardian

Iranian decision-makers usually seek consensus on strategic decisions, and this can be time-consuming.

The New York Times

Democrats on three House panels continue to meet privately to seek consensus on a single plan.

The New York Times - Health

But he rules his corporation, he hasn't ever had to seek consensus.

The New York Times

They discuss reasons for any differences of opinion and seek consensus.

Harvard Business Review

Unlike America's Supreme Court justices, Germany's seek consensus and seldom write dissenting opinions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek consensus", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is seeking the consensus and from whom. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "seek consensus" as a delaying tactic. Balancing the need for agreement with the need for timely decisions is crucial. Sometimes, leadership requires making a choice even without complete consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek consensus" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of attempting to reach a generally acceptable agreement among a group of people. Ludwig AI validates this, showcasing numerous examples across diverse contexts where this phrase is used to denote collaborative decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek consensus" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that signifies the act of trying to reach an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When employing "seek consensus", clarity is key: ensure the subject and object of the action are well-defined. While achieving consensus is often beneficial, remember that it should not come at the cost of timely action. Alternatives such as "pursue agreement" or "aim for accord" can be useful in different contexts. Overall, "seek consensus" is a valuable phrase for describing collaborative decision-making, but it should be used thoughtfully and strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to find common ground

Highlights the search for shared interests or beliefs.

look for common understanding

Emphasizes the need for mutual comprehension before agreement.

pursue agreement

Replaces "consensus" with "agreement", focusing on the goal of reaching a mutual understanding.

endeavor to reach a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to achieve an agreement.

aim for accord

Uses "accord" instead of "consensus", suggesting a formal agreement.

strive for unanimity

Emphasizes the effort to achieve complete agreement.

promote collaboration

Shifts focus to the cooperative effort involved in reaching consensus.

work towards convergence

Focuses on the process of opinions coming together.

foster unity

Highlights the building of solidarity and shared purpose.

attempt to reconcile differences

Suggests an effort to resolve conflicting viewpoints.

FAQs

How can I use "seek consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "seek consensus" to describe the process of trying to achieve agreement. For example, "The committee will "seek consensus" on the budget proposal before it is submitted to the board."

What are some alternatives to "seek consensus"?

Some alternatives to "seek consensus" include "pursue agreement", "aim for accord", or "try to find common ground".

Is it always necessary to "seek consensus" in decision-making?

While "seeking consensus" is often desirable, it may not always be practical or necessary. In some situations, decisive action may be more important than achieving complete agreement. The appropriateness of "seeking consensus" depends on the context and the potential consequences of the decision.

What's the difference between "seek consensus" and "seek approval"?

"Seek consensus" implies a collaborative process of finding common ground, while "seek approval" ("seek approval") suggests seeking permission or authorization from a higher authority.