the consensus was that

USAGE SUMMARY

"the consensus was that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a summary or agreement among a group of people about a particular topic or decision. Example: After much debate and discussion, the consensus was that the new policy would benefit both employees and the company as a whole.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The consensus was that it was overripe.

The New York Times - Food

The consensus was that Germany remained distinctive.

The Guardian - Business

Sadly, the consensus was that Maggie didn't like Matthew back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, the consensus was that Collins's review was not nice.

The New Yorker

The consensus was that the show should continue.

The New York Times - Arts

The consensus was that she would not accept it.

The New Yorker

The consensus was that it was too soon to say.

The New York Times

"The consensus was that it could," Dr. Ruiz said.

The New York Times

The consensus was that he had got it wrong.

The Guardian - Film

The consensus was that it was too soon to tell.

The New York Times - Style

"The consensus was that it was absolutely outstanding," Merrihue said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the consensus was that" to introduce a statement reflecting the shared understanding or agreement reached by a group. This signals to the reader that the following statement represents a collective opinion, not just an individual's view.

Common error

Avoid using "the consensus was that" when you are actually presenting your own opinion or a minority view. This can mislead readers into thinking that there is broader agreement than actually exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the consensus was that" functions as a transitional phrase, introducing a statement that summarizes a collective opinion or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Science

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the consensus was that" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase employed to introduce a statement that represents a shared understanding or collective agreement. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to report agreement, making it a versatile tool for various registers, especially in neutral contexts such as News & Media. While alternatives exist to express a general agreement or prevailing opinion with a slightly different meaning, it’s important to make sure that the consensus is well represented and not a minority view.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the general opinion was that

Emphasizes the widespread belief or sentiment on a particular issue.

it was generally agreed that

Replaces "consensus" with a more explicit statement of agreement, emphasizing the general nature of the agreement.

it was the majority view that

Indicates that while there may have been dissent, a certain position won out.

it was the common understanding that

Highlights shared comprehension rather than explicit agreement.

it was widely believed that

Similar to "general opinion", but may suggest less formal or evidence-based agreement.

the prevailing view was that

Focuses on the dominance of a particular viewpoint rather than a negotiated agreement.

the collective judgement was that

Emphasizes a formal or considered decision made by a group.

the accepted wisdom was that

Suggests a long-standing and often unquestioned belief.

it was the established view that

Implies a firm and perhaps institutionalized perspective.

the overall impression was that

Focuses on a subjective feeling or perception gathered from various sources.

FAQs

How can I use "the consensus was that" in a sentence?

Use "the consensus was that" to introduce a shared opinion or agreement. For example, "After the meeting, "the consensus was that" we would proceed with the project."

What are some alternatives to "the consensus was that"?

You can use phrases like "it was generally agreed that", "the prevailing view was that", or "the general opinion was that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "the consensus was that" in formal writing?

Yes, ""the consensus was that"" is suitable for formal writing, as it clearly indicates a shared understanding or agreement, which is often important in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "the consensus was that" and "it was believed that"?

"The consensus was that" implies a deliberative process and agreement, while "it was believed that" suggests a more general, potentially less reasoned, acceptance.