to forge a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to forge a consensus" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to create or develop an agreement or understanding among a group of people. Example: In order to make progress on this issue, the leaders of the different political parties must come together to forge a consensus on the best solution for the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were many complications in trying to forge a consensus.

The New York Times

But trying to forge a consensus for action has exposed fault lines at the United Nations.

The New York Times

"It will be an important test of the I.M.F. to forge a consensus".

The New York Times

Mr. Chen's efforts to forge a consensus have been tortured from the start.

The New York Times

He took the lead several years ago in trying to forge a consensus on climate change.

The New York Times

Representatives of most of the states met last Thursday in Chicago to begin trying to forge a consensus position.

The New York Times

It will be harder to forge a consensus on interest rates, or to pretend that one exists.

The Economist

The former commission president's technocratic qualities and his ability to forge a consensus would come in handy.

The Economist

Seeking to forge a consensus, Mr Piñera in May set up a committee to advise on electricity generation.

The Economist

He hopes to forge a consensus when he briefs NATO ambassadors back in Brussels on Tuesday, he said.

The New York Times

Congress is then likely to be closely divided between the parties, and someone will need to forge a consensus.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to forge a consensus" when you want to emphasize the active and sometimes difficult process of creating an agreement among different parties. It's particularly appropriate when overcoming initial disagreements is involved.

Common error

While "to forge a consensus" implies effort, avoid using it in contexts where a gentle or collaborative approach is more suitable. "Build agreement" or "develop common ground" might be better choices if the situation doesn't involve significant opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to forge a consensus" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a verb complement or to express purpose. Ludwig AI affirms its correct grammatical structure and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

13%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to forge a consensus" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that describes the active process of creating agreement, often in situations involving differing opinions. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's particularly common in news and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, be mindful of the effort and potential challenges involved in the agreement process. Consider alternatives like "to build agreement" or "to develop common ground" when a more collaborative approach is intended. Finally, avoid overemphasizing the forceful aspect in delicate situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to build agreement

Focuses on the gradual process of constructing an agreement.

to achieve unity

Emphasizes the resulting state of being united, rather than the process.

to develop common ground

Highlights finding shared beliefs or interests as a basis for agreement.

to cultivate harmony

Suggests a more delicate and careful approach to creating agreement.

to foster accord

Implies nurturing and encouraging agreement.

to engineer consent

Involves strategically manipulating or designing agreement.

to hammer out a deal

Conveys a sense of strenuous effort and negotiation to reach an agreement.

to reconcile differences

Focuses on resolving conflicting viewpoints to achieve agreement.

to negotiate a settlement

Implies a formal process of bargaining to reach an agreement.

to seek common understanding

Highlights the pursuit of shared comprehension as a means to agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "to forge a consensus" to describe the process of creating agreement, as in: "The president worked tirelessly to forge a consensus among the political parties".

What are some alternatives to "to forge a consensus"?

Consider using phrases like "to build agreement", "to develop common ground", or "to cultivate harmony" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to forge a consensus" or "to reach a consensus"?

"To forge a consensus" emphasizes the active creation of agreement, while "to reach a consensus" simply indicates that an agreement has been achieved. The better choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effort involved.

What does "to forge a consensus" imply about the agreement process?

The phrase "to forge a consensus" suggests that the agreement process involved effort, negotiation, and potentially overcoming initial disagreements or opposition. It's not simply a matter of everyone already being in agreement.