verbally agreed

USAGE SUMMARY

"verbally agreed" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when two people have come to an agreement or understanding of something without any written documentation or contract. For example: "The two parties verbally agreed to the terms of the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ghai said Obuya had verbally agreed to a one-year contract with the county.

The Guardian - Sport

Thursday marks the first day that free agents can sign new contracts that have been verbally agreed upon.

The New York Times

Oprah Winfrey, a friend of Tom Freston, has verbally agreed to air some of her daily programs on the network.

The New Yorker

"I haven't signed it yet but it is verbally agreed, two and possibly three years," said Keane.

The Guardian - Sport

In some jurisdictions certain agreements must be in writing to be enforcable even though the parties have verbally agreed to terms.

Harvard University

After Mr. Thompson returned from his vacation on Sept. 3, he "verbally agreed to the tactic" of sending the letter, according to the aide.

The New York Times

These people said the sides had verbally agreed weeks earlier on a price for Instagram of $525 million in cash and Twitter shares.

The New York Times

The loan approval documents for the revisions, submitted to senior banking officials, disclosed that Enron had "verbally agreed to repay the remaining $125 million by Sept. 30, 1999".

The New York Times

At the time, she said, she verbally agreed to let her son live with his father; she did not have a permanent residence at the time.

The New York Times

The prime minister's office said today that when the Sharm el Sheik agreement was signed, the Palestinians also verbally agreed that a three-week extension would be acceptable.

The New York Times

Keane, a former Sunderland and Ipswich manager, has verbally agreed to extend his contract as assistant to Martin O'Neill with the Republic of Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If a “verbal agreement” is crucial, follow up with an email summarizing the agreement as a documented record to minimize potential future discrepancies.

Common error

Do not assume that a "verbal agreement" is automatically legally binding. Certain types of agreements, especially those involving real estate or significant sums of money, often require a written contract to be enforceable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "verbally agreed" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to indicate that an agreement has been reached through spoken communication. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a common and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbally agreed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that indicates an agreement reached through spoken communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it's essential to remember that not all "verbal agreements" are legally binding, and documenting agreements in writing is often advisable. Alternatives like "orally agreed" or "reached a verbal understanding" can be used to vary expression, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

orally agreed

Focuses specifically on the oral nature of the agreement.

reached a verbal understanding

Highlights the understanding aspect of the agreement.

came to a spoken agreement

Emphasizes the act of arriving at an agreement through speech.

agreed in conversation

Highlights the conversational context of the agreement.

gave a verbal assurance

Focuses on the aspect of providing reassurance through speech.

consented verbally

Emphasizes the act of giving consent through speech.

pledged verbally

Emphasizes the act of making a pledge or promise through speech.

verbally committed

Emphasizes the commitment made through verbal communication.

shook hands on it

An idiomatic expression implying a verbal agreement sealed with a handshake.

had a gentleman's agreement

Implies an informal, unwritten agreement based on trust and honor.

FAQs

Is a "verbally agreed" agreement legally binding?

A "verbally agreed" agreement can be legally binding, but it depends on the subject matter and jurisdiction. Some contracts require written form to be enforceable. Consult legal advice to confirm.

What can I say instead of "verbally agreed"?

You can use alternatives like "orally agreed", "reached a verbal understanding", or "came to a spoken agreement" depending on the context.

How do I document a "verbally agreed" arrangement?

Following a "verbally agreed" arrangement, send a follow-up email summarizing the agreed-upon terms. This creates a written record and allows all parties to confirm their understanding.

What are the risks of relying solely on a "verbally agreed" agreement?

Relying solely on a "verbally agreed" agreement can be risky due to potential misunderstandings, lack of proof, and difficulty enforcing the terms if disputes arise. Documenting the agreement in writing is always recommended.