to form a consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

"to form a consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a group coming to an agreement on something. For example: "The team met to form a consensus on the best approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The information is then aggregated to form a consensus.

Cornell University

Christie is a leader who can work with all voices to form a consensus.

University of California, Berkeley

Many German voters like the idea of all parties coming together to form a consensus for tackling big issues.

The Economist

If steps are not taken to form a consensus government, Shahbaz Sharif said, the public anger could spin out of control.

The New York Times

Of course, we have to get some distance from any era in order to form a consensus about what it meant.

The New Yorker

The Mongol elite returned to Mongolia to select a new Great Khan, but they were unsuccessful in their efforts to form a consensus on the matter.

Columbia University

In the matter of influencing others, Ms. Galosy said, white men tend to tell people what to do, while women and Asians try to form a consensus.

The New York Times

Have students work in small groups to research possible actions they can take as consumers, and then try to form a consensus on what they should do.

The New York Times

Based on several theoretical analyses of the proposed opinion dynamics, we propose conditions that are sufficient to form a consensus or fragmentations among the agents.

Information Fusion

Based on the LOD model, we present some theoretical analyses to reveal the conditions to form a consensus or splits in the linguistic opinion formation.

Information Fusion

Mr. Farmer had originally hoped to form a consensus, but later announced that he was prepared to cast the tie-breaking vote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to form a consensus", ensure all parties involved have a chance to voice their opinions and contribute to the discussion. A genuine consensus requires inclusive participation.

Common error

Avoid prematurely declaring that a group has achieved consensus without thoroughly exploring all viewpoints. Doing so can lead to resentment and undermine future collaboration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to form a consensus" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose or intent behind an action, often involving discussion and negotiation among parties. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase describes a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to form a consensus" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes the process of different parties coming to an agreement. This phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Academia, indicating its suitability for neutral to formal contexts. Related phrases include "to reach an agreement" and "to build a consensus", which emphasize either the outcome or the construction of agreement, respectively. When using this phrase, it’s important to ensure inclusive participation and avoid assuming agreement prematurely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to reach an agreement

Focuses on the outcome of agreeing rather than the process of forming a shared opinion.

to achieve a consensus

Emphasizes the accomplishment of reaching a consensus.

to forge a consensus

Suggests a more active and deliberate effort to create a consensus.

to develop a consensus

Implies a gradual process of building agreement over time.

to build a consensus

Similar to 'develop a consensus' but suggests a more hands-on approach.

to arrive at a consensus

Focuses on the final stage of reaching a consensus after discussion.

to establish a consensus

Highlights the act of solidifying a consensus to make it official or recognized.

to create common ground

Focuses on finding areas of agreement as a foundation for consensus.

to find a common understanding

Highlights the shared understanding necessary for a consensus to form.

to reconcile differences

Emphasizes resolving disagreements to enable a consensus.

FAQs

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

You can use "to form a consensus" to describe the process of different parties reaching an agreement. For example, "The committee met to form a consensus on the new policy".

What's the difference between "to form a consensus" and "to reach a consensus"?

"To form a consensus" emphasizes the process of coming to an agreement, while "to reach a consensus" emphasizes the outcome of having achieved agreement.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to reach an agreement", "to build a consensus", or "to find common ground".

In what situations is it important to use "to form a consensus"?

It's important to use "to form a consensus" in situations where buy-in from multiple stakeholders is necessary for the successful implementation of a decision or plan. This is often seen in politics, business, and community organizations.