to achieve consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to achieve consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to express the idea of reaching agreement or accord among a group of people. For example: The representatives from each country met for days to achieve consensus on a new trade agreement.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Gove says he hopes to achieve consensus.

The Guardian

But it would also find it impossible to achieve consensus.

The Economist

"We are working very hard to achieve consensus," she told reporters.

The New York Times

Over all, the effort to achieve consensus was a diplomatic triumph.

The New York Times

This gave her a useful grounding for Brussels where commissioners have to achieve consensus.

The Guardian

That is a very wide brief – possibly too wide to achieve consensus.

The Guardian - Business

Morsi supporters charged the new regime with the same failure to achieve consensus of which he himself was accused.

The Guardian

But the African nations dropped their demand to achieve consensus for the plan, and the United States prevailed.

The New York Times

We need new mechanisms to achieve consensus positions and rapid responses to financial crises as they develop.

The New York Times

He's currently investigating "opinion dynamics," how group members affect the group's ability to achieve consensus in its collective action.

The New York Times

So does the inability of contemporary Washington to achieve consensus on problems facing an anxious American electorate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for collaboration, use "to achieve consensus" to clearly state the objective of reaching a mutually agreeable decision or understanding. This sets a transparent and cooperative tone.

Common error

Avoid using "to achieve consensus" as a substitute for active engagement. It's not merely a desired outcome, but a process that requires active participation, discussion, and compromise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to achieve consensus" functions as an infinitive phrase that often acts as an adverbial of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to achieve consensus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses the intention of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like ""to reach consensus"" and ""to obtain consensus"" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: striving for harmonious agreement through discussion and compromise. Remember to use the phrase actively, not passively, to foster true collaboration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to attain consensus

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "achieve" with "attain" for a slightly more formal tone.

to reach consensus

This alternative is also a synonym, using "reach" instead of "achieve" to convey the idea of arriving at an agreement.

to obtain consensus

This alternative substitutes "achieve" with "obtain", implying acquiring or securing an agreement.

to secure consensus

This alternative focuses on the act of making the consensus safe or certain.

to establish consensus

This alternative suggests setting up or creating a consensus where one didn't previously exist.

to foster agreement

This alternative shifts the focus to encouraging and developing a sense of agreement, rather than just achieving it.

to cultivate accord

This alternative suggests carefully nurturing a state of agreement or harmony.

to build common ground

This alternative emphasizes the process of finding shared beliefs or interests as a basis for agreement.

to promote unity

This alternative broadens the scope to focus on creating a state of being together or in agreement.

to find commonality

This alternative describes the act of discovering shared interests or qualities that can lead to agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "to achieve consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "to achieve consensus" to describe the goal of a discussion or negotiation, as in: "The committee met several times "to achieve consensus" on the budget."

What phrases are similar to "to achieve consensus"?

Alternatives include "to reach consensus", "to obtain consensus", or "to secure consensus". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "achieve consensus" or "reach consensus"?

"Achieve consensus" and "reach consensus" are largely interchangeable. Both are correct, with "reach consensus" perhaps slightly more common in everyday speech.

What does it mean to "achieve consensus" in a group setting?

In a group, "to achieve consensus" signifies that all members have come to a mutually agreeable decision, even if it requires compromise or adjustment of initial positions.