there is a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a general agreement has been reached among a group of people or experts on a particular issue or topic. Example: "After extensive discussions, there is a consensus among the committee members that the proposed changes should be implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is a consensus against any western intervention in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

So there is a consensus around fixing what's broken.

The New York Times

But again, only if there is a consensus".

The Guardian

The important thing is that there is a consensus".

The Guardian

And Mr Trichet can claim there is a "consensus".

The Economist

"We don't think there is a consensus," Mr. Aquino said.

The New York Times

There is a consensus that depression is most treatable when detected early.

Social Science & Medicine

"What is more difficult to discern is what there is a consensus for," he said.

The Guardian

But again, only if there is a consensus". Santos is not alone.

The Guardian

But there is a consensus that Russia must not be allowed to interfere in Ukrainian affairs.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is a consensus, for example, that ciproflaxin is effective against anthrax.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there is a consensus", clearly identify the group or community that holds the consensus to provide context and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "there is a consensus" when the agreement is not truly widespread or is based on limited evidence. Instead, use phrases like "a prevailing view" or "a general trend" to reflect a less definitive agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a consensus" functions as an introductory expression to indicate a generally held belief or agreement on a particular topic. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing it introduces statements widely accepted by a group or community.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there is a consensus" is a common expression used to signal widespread agreement on a particular topic. Grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business, it indicates that a viewpoint is generally accepted, according to Ludwig. While alternatives like "agreement exists" or "general agreement prevails" offer nuanced variations, it's crucial to accurately represent the level of agreement to maintain credibility. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is broadly applicable but requires careful consideration of the specific context to avoid overstating the degree of agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a consensus exists

Reorders the words slightly while maintaining the same meaning.

there is accord

Replaces "consensus" with "accord", a synonym indicating agreement.

agreement exists

Replaces the phrase with a more concise way to express that agreement is present.

general agreement prevails

Substitutes "there is a consensus" with a stronger emphasis on the dominance of the agreement.

the prevailing view is

Highlights the dominance of a particular viewpoint.

a general agreement is present

Uses "general agreement" instead of "consensus" and rephrases the sentence structure.

a shared understanding exists

Emphasizes the common comprehension among individuals.

it is generally accepted

Shifts the focus to the acceptance of an idea or fact, rather than a group reaching an agreement.

a common view is held

Focuses on the shared perspective rather than the agreement itself.

most people agree

Simplifies the phrase to express widespread agreement in a more direct way.

FAQs

How can I use "there is a consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "there is a consensus" to indicate a general agreement on a topic. For example, "There is a consensus among scientists that climate change is occurring".

What are some alternatives to "there is a consensus"?

Alternatives include "agreement exists", "general agreement prevails", or "a consensus exists" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to say "there is a consensus"?

No, it's crucial to ensure actual widespread agreement before using the phrase. Overstating agreement can undermine credibility. Consider using qualifiers like "a strong consensus" or "a broad consensus" to better reflect the degree of agreement.

What's the difference between "there is a consensus" and "there is a majority opinion"?

"There is a consensus" implies near-unanimity, while "there is a majority opinion" simply means that more than half agree. Use "there is a majority opinion" when a significant portion disagrees, and reserve "there is a consensus" for situations with very little dissent.