to agree on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to agree on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a consensus or mutual understanding between parties regarding a specific issue or topic. Example: "After much discussion, we were finally able to agree on something that satisfied both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Our leaders refuse to cooperate to restore American Democracy and Quality of Life in what was the greatest nation in history during and for a few decades after WWII.But not a single one want,s to get their heads out of their butts to agree on something that will help the USA Now.

University of California, Berkeley

There was even a funny aside about bipartisanship, with him saying "If any good came of this, maybe it was that for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: that I'm a dick".

Vice

"If any good came of this," Davidson joked during the collaborative sketch, "maybe it was that for one day, the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: that I'm a dick".

Huffington Post

It's easier to agree on something when everyone's being objective.

The New York Times

"I think we're going to agree on something good.

Independent

I don't need everybody to agree on something; I listen and then make a decision.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Democrats and Republicans agree on something for once.

HuffPost

"I do a joke where I thank lesbians and gays for holding a pride march in Jerusalem because it was the only thing that managed to get the city's priests, rabbis and imams to unanimously agree on something.

Independent

To finally agree on something: Members of both parties in the U.S. Senate voted to eliminate billions of dollars worth of ethanol subsidies in an effort to end the once-sacred government program.

The New Yorker

"Even if you got people inside Microsoft to agree on using something like Bumptop, it wouldn't go out the door anytime soon," he says.

MIT Technology Review

Yet the legislation has been under consideration for two years and, caught by the crosswinds of rival national interests and corporate lobbying, the process has shown how hard it is for Europe to agree on protecting privacy, something nearly everyone supports in principle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to agree on something" when you want to emphasize the act of different parties finding a common point of agreement, especially after discussion or disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "to agree on something" when referring to a single person or entity. The phrase implies a discussion or negotiation between multiple parties leading to a consensus. Instead, use phrases like "to decide on something" or "to settle on something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to agree on something" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a larger clause. It signifies the act of reaching a mutual understanding or consensus regarding a particular subject, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to agree on something" is a versatile and commonly used expression denoting the achievement of a consensus or mutual understanding between different parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from formal news reports to informal discussions. The phrase's frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to reach a consensus

Focuses more on the process of reaching an agreement.

to come to an understanding

Emphasizes the comprehension aspect of an agreement.

to find common ground

Highlights the shared interests or beliefs that facilitate agreement.

to see eye to eye

An idiomatic expression for complete agreement.

to be of one mind

Suggests a strong, unified agreement.

to settle on a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to achieve agreement.

to strike a deal

Emphasizes the transactional nature of an agreement.

to concur

A more formal and concise way of saying agree.

to find accord

Highlights a state of harmony or agreement.

to reconcile differences

Focuses on resolving disagreements to achieve agreement.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "to agree on something"?

You can use alternatives like "to reach a consensus", "to come to an understanding", or "to find common ground" depending on the context.

How do you use "to agree on something" in a sentence?

You can use "to agree on something" in a sentence when discussing the process of parties coming to a mutual understanding, such as, "After a lengthy debate, the committee was able to agree on something."

Is it appropriate to use "to agree on something" in formal writing?

Yes, "to agree on something" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing negotiations, discussions, or resolutions between multiple entities. More formal synonyms include "to reach a consensus" or "to find accord".

What is the difference between "to agree on something" and "to agree with someone"?

"To agree on something" implies that parties have discussed and settled upon a particular issue or solution. "To agree with someone" means you share the same opinion as another person. For example, "The board was able to agree on a budget" versus "I agree with her assessment of the situation."