seeking consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeking consensus" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to people coming to agreement on something. For example: "The leaders of the country were seeking consensus on the proposed economic reforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Seeking consensus would undercut real reform.

The New Yorker

Surrogates also drew other family members into the decision, seeking consensus.

The New York Times

When his aides fought over diametrically opposite policies, he persisted in seeking consensus.

The New York Times - Books

And he implicitly challenged the authority of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to make decisions without seeking consensus.

The New York Times

As Steinbrenner cedes control to his sons, he is more intent on seeking consensus for major moves.

The New York Times - Sports

He preferred seeking consensus and relying on the professionalism and good judgment of employees rather than micromanaging and giving orders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

We seek consensus.

The New York Times - Magazine

He seeks consensus rather than a fleeting political majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tells how he sought consensus both at home and abroad.

The New Yorker

Steinbrenner makes the final call but seeks consensus first.

The New York Times - Sports

Senior ministers seek consensus in a series of conclaves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific context of your document. "Seeking consensus" is appropriate when you want to convey that a person or group is actively trying to reach an agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking consensus" when you mean simply accepting a pre-existing agreement without active engagement. "Seeking consensus" implies effort and active participation in forming that agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking consensus" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it describes the activity or process of finding an agreement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking consensus" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the action of trying to reach an agreement. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in written English. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, emphasizing its relevance in discussions involving diverse opinions. To improve your writing, remember that this phrase implies active participation in forming an agreement, not simply accepting one. For alternative phrasing, consider "soliciting consensus" or "achieving consensus", based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving consensus

Shifts the focus to the result or accomplishment of reaching an agreement.

garnering consensus

Emphasizes the effort to gather or collect agreement from various sources.

soliciting consensus

Focuses more on the act of actively requesting or gathering agreement.

gathering consensus

Similar to garnering, but with a slightly less formal tone.

seeking assent

Focuses on obtaining formal approval or agreement.

seeking consultation

Highlights the process of seeking advice or input before reaching an agreement.

seeking compromise

Highlights the need for concessions from all parties to achieve an agreement.

seeking unanimous

Implies aiming for complete agreement where everyone is in accord.

seeking engagement

Emphasizes the act of involving others to gain agreement.

negotiating agreement

Highlights a bargaining approach to get to an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeking consensus" to describe the action of trying to find an agreement. For example: "The committee is "seeking consensus" on the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "seeking consensus"?

Some alternatives to "seeking consensus" include "soliciting consensus", "achieving consensus", or "seeking compromise".

Is it better to use "seeking consensus" or "achieving consensus"?

"Seeking consensus" describes the process of trying to reach an agreement, while "achieving consensus" describes the successful completion of that process. Use the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

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

"Seeking consensus" implies a collaborative effort to find common ground, whereas "seeking assent" suggests a desire for formal permission or authorization.