seeking to agree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking to agree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an intention or desire to reach a consensus or mutual understanding in a discussion or negotiation. Example: "During the meeting, both parties were seeking to agree on the terms of the contract to ensure a smooth collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The musicians and management have been seeking to agree on terms through a mediator since the players rejected reductions in their ranks and then large pay cuts.

The New York Times - Arts

Such climate-charged scenarios form the backdrop to the United Nations negotiations starting in Paris on 30 November, which are seeking to agree on collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

Labour said it was still seeking to agree high-profile TV debates involving other members of the cabinet and shadow cabinet, especially one between Alistair Darling, the chancellor, and his shadow George Osborne.

The Guardian

"Should industry action prove ineffective, the OFT and the Information Commissioner's Office are strengthening the effectiveness of regulation by seeking to agree a memorandum of understanding to establish in which circumstances the ICO, or the OFT, would take enforcement action," added the regulator.

The Guardian

In a statement, the PSNI said it was seeking to agree a solution with the ombudsman about what it called "complicated and, sometimes, competing legal issues".

BBC

Countries are seeking to agree on terms according to Deustche Welle, for the much-contested 'rule-book.'.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We will now seek to agree with you the necessary amendments to the BBC Agreement.

The Guardian

The Welsh government's role in that process is to ensure Welsh interests are fully taken into account as we seek to agree a common UK negotiating position.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Scottish government responds that "we will seek to agree maintenance of a common research area with the UK with shared research councils".

The Guardian

The climate change summit is regarded as the most important environmental meeting in decades as world leaders seek to agree a robust plan of action to tackle global warming.

Independent

The summit in New York, which starts tomorrow, will seek to agree on a plan to close the gap on the eight targets which the G8 agreed to meet by 2015.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seeking to agree", ensure that the context clearly indicates what parties are involved and the subject of the agreement. For example: "The two companies are seeking to agree on a joint venture."

Common error

Avoid using "seeking to agree" in highly informal contexts. Opt for more casual alternatives like "trying to settle" or "working it out" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking to agree" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended aim or objective of an action. It is used to describe efforts to reach a mutual understanding or settlement, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seeking to agree" is a grammatically sound construction used to express the intention of finding common ground and reaching a mutual understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. Although its frequency is classified as uncommon, it appears across a range of professional and objective contexts, including news media and formal business settings. When using "seeking to agree", ensure clarity regarding the parties involved and the subject matter. Consider alternatives like "aiming for agreement" or "working towards consensus" for nuanced variations. Avoid using it in casual conversations where more informal language may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming for agreement

Emphasizes the intention or goal of reaching an agreement; uses a different verb and preposition.

working towards consensus

Highlights the collaborative effort involved in achieving a common understanding.

attempting to reach a deal

Focuses on the negotiation process and the desired outcome of a formal agreement.

negotiating terms

Specifies the activity of discussing and settling the conditions of an agreement.

in the process of agreeing

Highlights that it is currently underway and that they haven't concluded the agreement.

trying to settle

Indicates an effort to resolve differences and come to a mutual understanding.

endeavoring to concur

A more formal way of expressing the attempt to reach an agreement.

seeking common ground

Focuses on finding shared interests or beliefs as a basis for agreement.

looking to reconcile

Implies that is necessary to come to reconcile a disagreement.

pursuing accord

Describes the active pursuit of a formal or official agreement.

FAQs

How to use "seeking to agree" in a sentence?

Use "seeking to agree" to describe the process of two or more parties working towards a mutual agreement. For example, "The negotiating teams are seeking to agree on the final terms of the contract."

What can I say instead of "seeking to agree"?

You can use alternatives like "aiming for agreement", "working towards consensus", or "attempting to reach a deal" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "seeking to agree" formal or informal?

"Seeking to agree" is generally considered to be neutral to formal in register. It is appropriate for business negotiations, legal discussions, and other professional settings, but can feel too formal for casual conversations.

What's the difference between "seeking to agree" and "agreeing"?

"Seeking to agree" describes the process of trying to reach an agreement, while "agreeing" implies that an agreement has already been reached. For example, "The parties are seeking to agree on the terms" (they are still negotiating), versus "The parties are agreeing to the terms" (they are in the process of formally accepting the terms).