unanimity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unanimity" is an acceptable and appropriate term to use in written English.
It is an abstract noun which is used to refer to the state of being agreed upon by all parties, typically a voting situation. For example, "The voting went off without a hitch and the board was able to reach a unanimous decision with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether or not their policies work or achieve what they claim to be doing – those are the questions, not whether there's a crack in the facade of unanimity".

The Guardian

In the absence of unanimity, the bloc is likely to abstain.

The Guardian

However, Barroso said exempting the UK from the EU's stated aim of "ever-closer union" would "require changes to the treaty and unanimity … [as it] was ratified by all the countries, including Britain".

The Guardian

There has to be some degree of unanimity about how those problems should be solved.

The Guardian - Business

And there has to be leadership to ensure that unanimity when it is not immediately forthcoming.

The Guardian - Business

Since it does not require unanimity, Guido's vote will be as effective as Cameron's veto last December.

The Guardian

Does the unanimity of the reporting across the political spectrum, as the Mail contends, give credence to the notion that Labour is suffering from a real internal revolt?

The Guardian

On his telling, Poland was rendered largely ungovernable by the parliament's requirement for unanimity, and disappeared as a country for more than a century.

The Economist

In essence, the British did not ask for an "emergency brake" clause or opt-out for financial regulation.What they asked for was a protocol imposing decision-making by unanimity on a number of areas of regulation currently decided by majority voting.

The Economist

The EU budget will still have to be decided by unanimity, which should be fun in 2006.What about this single legal personality business?Both federalists and Eurosceptics attach a lot of significance to this.

The Economist

Should decisions be taken by simple majority, qualified majority or unanimity?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unanimity" when you want to emphasize complete agreement from all members of a group, especially in formal settings like voting or decision-making processes.

Common error

Avoid using "unanimity" when a simple "consensus" is achieved. "Unanimity" implies that everyone agrees without exception, while "consensus" indicates general agreement, even if some individuals have reservations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unanimity" is as a noun. It represents the state or condition of complete agreement among all members of a group. According to Ludwig, the term is acceptable and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unanimity" denotes a state of complete and total agreement, frequently observed in formal contexts such as news reporting and business discussions. Ludwig confirms its appropriateness in written English, highlighting its role as a noun that describes a state of accord. While aiming for "unanimity" is ideal, especially in significant decisions, the related term "consensus" represents a more practical goal, acknowledging potential reservations among individuals. As seen in the examples, understanding when to use "unanimity" versus settling for a general "consensus" is critical to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete agreement

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the agreement, leaving no room for dissent.

full accord

Highlights a harmonious agreement, suggesting a positive and cooperative atmosphere.

consensus

Focuses on a general agreement, though it may not necessarily imply 100% agreement from all parties.

general agreement

Suggests a widespread but potentially not absolute agreement.

unified front

Emphasizes the appearance of agreement for strategic purposes, even if internal disagreements exist.

common understanding

Focuses on a shared comprehension rather than explicit agreement.

harmony

Highlights the peaceful and cooperative nature of the agreement.

concurrence

Indicates a formal agreement or alignment of opinions.

one voice

Stresses the shared message or opinion, implying a lack of dissent.

shared view

Implies a similar perspective on a particular matter.

FAQs

How is "unanimity" typically used in a sentence?

The term "unanimity" refers to a state of complete agreement. For example, "The council reached "unanimity" on the budget proposal after extensive discussion."

What words can I use instead of "unanimity"?

Alternatives to "unanimity" include "complete agreement", "full accord", or "consensus", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to aim for "unanimity" or a simple majority in decision-making?

Whether you should aim for "unanimity" or a simple majority depends on the situation. "Unanimity" can be desirable in critical decisions where it's important to have everyone on board. However, in many cases, achieving a simple majority is sufficient and more practical.

What’s the difference between "unanimity" and "consensus"?

"Unanimity" means everyone is in complete agreement, whereas "consensus" indicates a general agreement, even if not everyone fully supports the decision.