to reach a common understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "to reach a common understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that two or more people have found agreement on something. For example: "After several hours of discussion, the two sides were finally able to reach a common understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"We still believe the family can come together to reach a common understanding of their father's last wishes," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Edison typically works closely with local boards to reach a common understanding about the goals for the schools we operate.

The New York Times

"We have worked collaboratively to reach a common understanding regarding the order that will resolve our short-term issues," he said.

The New York Times

We would say, 'That's another one for the screenplay.' " With Graham, Egan often had the uncanny feeling "that you can't use language to reach a common understanding.

The New Yorker

But since the group finds it urgent to reach a common understanding, pressure toward acceptance of a favoured version grows as the rumour process expands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the very least, dialogue seeking to reach a common understanding about how states should behave would crystallise where we have significant problems or form the basis for building trust, confidence and transparency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That these professional perspectives were not shared became an obstacle to reaching a common understanding.

BMC Medical Ethics

The participants try to convince their opponents and colleagues, so that they reach a common understanding of the issue using logical terms.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

As time evolves the schedulers reach a common understanding of resource usage and there are no further updates to transmission schedules, see Figure 3.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"I think we can reach a common understanding," Rye said.

Huffington Post

Showing patients their medical information from clinical datasets and EMRs can help patients and clinicians reach a common understanding of diagnoses, medications, and results [ 20, 21].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "to reach a common understanding" sets a tone of professionalism and mutual respect. Use it when emphasizing the need for collaborative problem-solving and shared viewpoints among involved parties.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "to reach a common understanding" automatically implies full agreement. It primarily signifies that all parties comprehend each other's viewpoints, even if disagreements persist. Ensure the context clarifies whether understanding leads to actual agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to reach a common understanding" functions as an infinitive phrase often used as a purpose clause. It indicates the objective or aim of an action, expressing the reason why something is done. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to reach a common understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the importance of shared comprehension, as also highlighted by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase is suitable for neutral and professional communication. While often implying agreement, the primary focus remains on establishing a mutual comprehension. The usage examples on Ludwig further reinforce this, illustrating its application in diverse settings, from international negotiations to collaborative projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to come to an agreement

This alternative focuses on the agreement aspect rather than the understanding process.

to find common ground

This phrase emphasizes the shared interests or beliefs that facilitate agreement.

to build a mutual consensus

This alternative focuses on a reciprocated consensus.

to achieve consensus

This alternative highlights the collective agreement reached by a group.

to develop a shared perspective

The focus is on the emergence of a jointly-held point of view.

to get on the same page

This phrase is more informal and suggests alignment in understanding.

to establish a concord

It uses formal language suggesting an official agreement

to see eye to eye

This idiom signifies complete agreement or shared perspective.

to strike a balance

This is subtly different, implying compromise to reach a mutually acceptable position.

to determine convergence

It focuses on finding that views are in alignment

FAQs

How can I use "to reach a common understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "to reach a common understanding" to describe a process where individuals or groups develop a shared comprehension of a topic. For example: "After several meetings, the team was able "to reach a common understanding" of the project goals."

What's the difference between "to reach a common understanding" and "to come to an agreement"?

"To reach a common understanding" focuses on achieving a shared comprehension, while "to come to an agreement" emphasizes reaching a consensus or formal accord. You can "come to an agreement" without necessarily having a deep shared understanding.

Which is more formal, "to reach a common understanding" or "to get on the same page"?

"To reach a common understanding" is generally more formal and suitable for professional or academic contexts. "To get on the same page" is more informal and better suited for casual conversations or internal team communications. Use "to get on the same page" when you want to sound friendly.

What are some situations where it's important "to reach a common understanding"?

It's crucial "to reach a common understanding" in international negotiations, complex project management, medical diagnoses involving multiple specialists, and any scenario where miscommunication could lead to significant negative consequences. A "mutual understanding" allows avoiding misunderstandings and promoting cooperation.