try to agree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to agree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that individuals make an effort to reach a consensus or find common ground on a particular issue. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we need to try to agree on the budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, a House-Senate conference committee will try to agree on a budget.

The New York Times

Instead, he says, the island will try to agree new deals and deferred payments with creditors.

The Guardian

I like to try to agree a common goal, and I'm flexible.

The Guardian

The review, which is to start next week, will go on even as Detroit officials try to agree on cuts.

The New York Times

Even the prudent Dutch face a political crisis as they try to agree on a government budget.

The New York Times

The Yankees have a 72-hour window that ends at noon Sunday to try to agree to terms with Gonzalez.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite last month's bust-up, Kerry and Lavrov met again on Saturday to try to agree another Syria ceasefire.

The Guardian

Besides recycling, a number of issues remain as the two sides try to agree on a budget.

The New York Times

Or it could try to agree further treaties with Jordan which would categorically address the risks of deportation there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officials will try to agree a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the first phase of which expires in 2012.

The Guardian

Daewoo Motor had been fighting for months with unions to try to agree job cuts that might allow it to be sold.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facilitating discussions, use "try to agree" to encourage participants to actively seek common ground rather than rigidly defending their positions.

Common error

Avoid using "try to agree" when describing situations where compromise is impossible or undesirable. In highly competitive scenarios, focus on strategies to win rather than suggestions to find middle ground.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to agree" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an attempt or effort to reach a consensus or understanding. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing negotiations, discussions, and collaborative efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to agree" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an effort to reach a consensus or find common ground. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While its frequent presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability, it's crucial to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations where compromise is unlikely. Alternatives such as "attempt to reach a consensus" and "seek common ground" offer nuanced ways to express similar intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to reach a consensus

Emphasizes the effort to achieve agreement among a group.

make an effort to concur

Highlights the exertion required to align opinions.

strive for consensus

Indicates a determined effort toward unified agreement.

seek common ground

Focuses on finding shared perspectives or interests.

work towards an agreement

Suggests a process-oriented approach to achieving accord.

aim to reconcile differences

Highlights the resolution of conflicting viewpoints.

endeavor to find accord

Implies a formal and earnest effort to achieve agreement.

pursue a mutual understanding

Emphasizes the development of shared comprehension.

negotiate to a settlement

Indicates formal discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

find a compromise

Focuses on finding a middle ground through concessions.

FAQs

How can I use "try to agree" in a sentence?

The phrase "try to agree" is used to suggest an effort to reach a consensus. For example, "The committee will "try to agree" on a budget before the end of the month."

What are some alternatives to "try to agree"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to reach a consensus", "seek common ground", or "work towards an agreement" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "try to agree" and "agree"?

"Try to agree" implies an effort or attempt to reach an agreement, while "agree" indicates that an agreement has already been reached. For example, "They "try to agree", but ultimately fail to reach a compromise."

When is it appropriate to use "try to agree" in formal writing?

The phrase "try to agree" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts when you want to describe the process of attempting to find common ground or reach an understanding.