shared common ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shared common ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties have mutual understanding or agreement on certain issues or topics. Example: "Despite their differences, they were able to find shared common ground on environmental policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The speakers also shared common ground on the impossibility of open borders.

Cornell University

We gravitated towards those who we shared common ground with; there were fewer of us here then.

The Guardian

Despite their disparities, the two writers shared common ground, a love -- and a comprehensive knowledge -- of literature.

The New York Times - Books

Successful communication, or coupling, relies on shared common ground, experiences, and the beliefs people have already acquired from others.

Princeton University

As Thompson notes, although Whitehouse was a true blue Tory, her view of the sex industry shared common ground with Marxist economic critiques.

The Guardian - Books

When she decided to proceed with the movie, she did so under the theory that she and her characters shared common ground: "I'm American and they're also American".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As far apart as our choices may be, we share common ground – we are both judged.

The Guardian - Opinion

You seem to share common ground in naturalism and a moral interest in temptation.

The Guardian - Film

And despite her age and ranking, she shares common ground with Clijsters and Henin.

The New York Times - Sports

He believes in stem cells — and in that, he and his critics share common ground.

The New York Times - Health

On the first point, oil company executives say that they believe they share common ground with their environmental critics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to build consensus or find solutions, emphasize the "shared common ground" to foster collaboration and mutual understanding.

Common error

Avoid using redundant expressions like "shared commonalities" as "common ground" already implies shared aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shared common ground" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies areas of agreement, understanding, or mutual interest between different parties. As per Ludwig AI, it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shared common ground" is used to describe the existence of mutual understanding or agreement between parties. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While phrases like "mutual understanding" or "common interests" can serve as alternatives, the original phrase is widely accepted across various contexts, from news and media to academia and science. When aiming to build consensus, focusing on the "shared common ground" can be particularly effective. Avoid redundancy by not repeating "common" ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutual understanding

Focuses on the comprehension and acceptance between parties.

common interests

Focuses on mutual areas of concern or enthusiasm.

common understanding

Focuses on a mutual grasp of a subject or situation.

areas of agreement

Highlights specific points where parties concur.

shared perspective

Highlights having a similar viewpoint or outlook.

converging interests

Stresses the alignment of goals or pursuits.

points of convergence

Emphasizes specific areas where different views align.

agreed upon principles

Emphasizes the aspect of mutual agreement on fundamental ideas.

unifying factors

Stresses elements that bring parties together.

shared values

Highlights similar beliefs or principles held in common.

FAQs

How can I use "shared common ground" in a sentence?

Use "shared common ground" to indicate areas where people or groups find agreement or mutual interests. For example, "Despite their political differences, they found "shared common ground" on environmental issues".

What are some alternatives to saying "shared common ground"?

You can use alternatives like "mutual understanding", "areas of agreement", or "common interests" to express a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "shared common ground"?

While "common ground" inherently implies sharing, the phrase "shared common ground" is widely accepted and understood. Though, it's acceptable to omit "shared" for brevity, the phrase is grammatical and does not inherently alter the meaning.

What's the difference between "shared common ground" and "common values"?

"Shared common ground" generally refers to specific points of agreement or mutual interests in a particular situation, while "common values" refers to fundamental beliefs or principles that people hold in common, often on a more abstract level.