tacit understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"tacit understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an agreement or understanding that is not spoken or written down, but rather is known by both parties. For example, "The parties had a tacit understanding that the project would be completed in four weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tacit understanding faces even bigger challenges.

The Economist

"There was a tacit understanding that Imperial Household members should not talk about their private lives".

The New York Times

There is a tacit understanding between the two sides that does no one any favours.

The Guardian - Opinion

They want an explicit agreement, he said, not a tacit understanding.

The Guardian

Whole marketing campaigns are based on the tacit understanding that marketing itself is passé.

The New York Times - Magazine

Was there a tacit understanding to leave things as they were?

The New Yorker

A tacit understanding that users can control privacy is enough to keep us sharing.

The Guardian

But this tacit understanding of ownership is useless in the cloud.

MIT Technology Review

There is sometimes a tacit understanding, they said, between engineers and insurers.

The New York Times

Meanwhile all parties seem close to a tacit understanding that there will be no coup.

The Economist

There's a tacit understanding that this annual weekend idyll of belonging will be Robert's last.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacit understanding" to describe situations where a formal agreement isn't necessary, but all parties involved are on the same page. This can add nuance to your writing, showing a deeper level of unspoken communication.

Common error

Avoid using "tacit understanding" when there's a clear, written agreement. This phrase implies unspoken assumptions, not documented terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacit understanding" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It represents a state of agreement or comprehension that is not explicitly communicated, but rather inferred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

19%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tacit understanding" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an unspoken agreement or mutual awareness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, showcasing its relevance in describing complex social and political situations. While interchangeable with phrases like "implicit agreement" or "unspoken accord", it uniquely emphasizes the silent consensus between parties. When writing, remember that this phrase applies when assumptions are shared, not when terms are explicitly documented. Its prevalence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicit agreement

Emphasizes the agreement aspect, highlighting that it's implied rather than directly expressed.

unspoken accord

Replaces "understanding" with "accord", focusing on the harmony and agreement without verbal communication.

implied consent

Highlights the consent aspect of the tacit understanding, suggesting agreement through actions or silence.

unwritten rule

Shifts the focus to an established norm or guideline that is not formally documented but generally followed.

mutual recognition

Highlights the shared awareness and acceptance of a situation or agreement.

quiet acceptance

Focuses on the passive agreement and lack of open objection to a particular situation or norm.

gentleman's agreement

An informal and unwritten agreement, often based on trust and honor, typically used in business or politics.

inferred agreement

Focuses on the agreement being deduced or concluded from available information or behavior.

understood without saying

Directly indicates the understanding is clear without any explicit statement.

shared awareness

Emphasizes the common knowledge or understanding that exists between the parties involved.

FAQs

How can I use "tacit understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "tacit understanding" to describe situations where people are aware of something, and agree without having to discuss it explicitly. For example, "There was a "tacit understanding" that everyone would contribute to the project".

What are some alternatives to "tacit understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "implicit agreement", "unspoken accord", or "implied consent" depending on the specific context.

Is "tacit understanding" the same as "explicit agreement"?

No, "tacit understanding" refers to an agreement that is implied or understood without being formally expressed, whereas an "explicit agreement" is clearly stated and documented.

What's the difference between "tacit understanding" and "implied agreement"?

The phrases are very similar; however, "tacit understanding" emphasizes the mutual awareness and acceptance, while "implied agreement" focuses more on the agreement being inferred from actions or circumstances.