seeking agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of trying to reach a consensus or understanding between parties. Example: "In our negotiations, we are seeking agreement on the terms of the contract to ensure both sides are satisfied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The ministers had been seeking agreement on requirements for banks to hold capital reserves that would function as a cushion against future losses.

The New York Times

Panellists seeking agreement will thus put too much weight on what is public knowledge, whether or not there is any discussion.Until now, this was just a theory.

The Economist

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings says of her eagerness to work with Utah in seeking agreement on federal education requirements: "These are Republicans.

The New York Times

Mr. Burns is seeking agreement on ways to carry out the recommendations of a committee headed by George J. Mitchell, a former United States senator.

The New York Times

Mr. Clinton is seeking agreement to modify a 1972 treaty and thus go ahead with a national antimissile defense; Russia has so far refused.

The New York Times

We are seeking agreement for a millennium target not just for which countries gain debt relief, but for the amount of debt which will be wiped out.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

And while the Obama administration, Congress, the F.C.C. and public safety groups are seeking agreements on standards, turf battles and political posturing have crept into the debate.

The New York Times

Since then, AOL has reportedly been seeking agreements with computer manufacturers including Compaq, Dell and Gateway for prime desktop real estate, even if Microsoft doesn't agree.

Forbes

To achieve its sustainability plans, the city is collaborating and seeking agreements with industries, supply chain managers, real estate developers, and its bus and taxi companies.

Huffington Post

For decades, negotiators have sought agreement on limiting (and perhaps ultimately eliminating) nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

At the same time, Gazprom could seek agreement with the Kremlin to gently increase domestic prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seeking agreement", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject or parties from whom the agreement is being sought. For example, "The company is seeking agreement from its shareholders".

Common error

Avoid using "seeking agreement" in passive constructions that obscure who is doing the seeking. Instead of "Agreement is being sought", specify who is "seeking agreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking agreement" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. As shown by Ludwig, it often serves as the object of a sentence, indicating the goal or objective of an action. It is also correctly used to describe the act of attempting to reach a consensus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking agreement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of trying to reach a consensus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Its usage spans various domains, including news, science, and business, as seen in the examples provided. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who is "seeking agreement" and avoiding passive constructions. Alternatives like "pursuing consensus" or "aiming for accord" can be used for a more formal tone. This phrase is a valuable asset in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursuing consensus

This alternative emphasizes the active pursuit of a general agreement.

aiming for accord

This alternative suggests a deliberate effort to reach a state of harmony or agreement.

working towards agreement

This phrase highlights the ongoing effort and process involved in reaching an agreement.

striving for consensus

Similar to pursuing consensus, but emphasizes the effort and dedication involved.

negotiating an agreement

Focuses on the negotiation process as the means to reach an agreement.

trying to reach a deal

This alternative is less formal and focuses on the outcome of a negotiation.

attempting to find common ground

Highlights the search for shared principles or interests as a basis for agreement.

endeavoring to find an agreement

This alternative emphasizes trying hard to reach an agreement.

in pursuit of accord

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the goal of achieving harmony.

looking to find consensus

This alternative focuses on the desire to find agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeking agreement" to describe the process of trying to get people to agree on something. For example: "The committee is seeking agreement on the new guidelines".

What's a more formal alternative to "seeking agreement"?

A more formal alternative to "seeking agreement" could be "pursuing consensus" or "aiming for accord".

Is it correct to say "seeking for agreement"?

No, the correct phrasing is "seeking agreement", without the preposition "for". The verb "seek" directly takes the object of what is being sought.

What is the difference between "seeking agreement" and "achieving agreement"?

"Seeking agreement" describes the process of trying to find a consensus, while "achieving agreement" indicates that a consensus has been successfully reached.