were of the same mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were of the same mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more people share the same opinion or perspective on a particular issue. Example: "After much discussion, we realized that we were of the same mind regarding the project's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Australia and the US were of "the same mind", he said.

The Guardian

Shaver had come to vote alone, but he said that his friends were of the same mind as him.

The New Yorker

Bradman claimed that it was a bump ball and the umpire joined a small minority, who were of the same mind.

The Guardian - Sport

On two matters, however, all nine Justices were of the same mind: first that the secular courts will be slow to enter into questions concerning the autonomy and self-regulation of religions.

The Guardian - Opinion

DCI Andy Redwood, who is leading an investigative review of all the evidence in the case, said his team was developing "genuinely new information" and that colleagues in Portugal who are part of a police review team based in Oporto, were of the same mind as him that the case should be reopened.

The Guardian

Perhaps, if all judges were of the same mind, precedent would gradually accumulate (and under the present law it has in a way begun to do so, in the absence of prosecutions for assisted suicide) and eventually it would be seen that to continue to treat mercy killing as a crime was futile.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

(Yotam Ottolenghi is of the same mind).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bhansode is of the same mind.

The New York Times

Martha was of the same mind.

The New Yorker

"It's not like we are of the same mind.

The New York Times

Weiner discovered that Commissioner Bud Selig was of the same mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were of the same mind", ensure the context clearly establishes who is being referred to and what specific issue they agree on. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because people "were of the same mind" on one issue, they necessarily agree on all related matters. Clearly define the boundaries of the agreement to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were of the same mind" functions as a descriptive statement indicating agreement or shared understanding among multiple subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It highlights a convergence of opinions or perspectives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were of the same mind" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates agreement or shared understanding among multiple individuals. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase correctly describes agreement between parties. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific publications. It is suitable for both formal and informal communication, though perhaps leaning slightly towards the former. Alternatives such as "shared a common viewpoint" or "saw eye to eye" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define the scope of the agreement to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared a common viewpoint

Focuses on the shared aspect of the view, slightly more formal.

held identical opinions

Emphasizes the sameness of the opinions held, slightly more formal.

saw eye to eye

An idiomatic expression for agreeing, less formal.

were in agreement

A straightforward statement of agreement, slightly less descriptive.

concurred with each other

Highlights the act of agreeing, more formal.

had a consensus

Emphasizes a group agreement, suitable for formal settings.

thought alike

Focuses on the similarity in thought processes, slightly less common.

were of one accord

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing agreement.

were united in their view

Highlights the unity in perspective, suitable for emphasis.

shared the same mindset

Similar to having the same perspective, but emphasizes the underlying mental attitude.

FAQs

What does it mean to say people "were of the same mind"?

It means that those people "shared the same opinion", perspective, or understanding regarding a particular matter. It indicates a consensus or agreement among them.

How can I use "were of the same mind" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where multiple parties agreed. For example, "The committee members "were in agreement" and "were of the same mind" regarding the budget allocation".

What's a more formal way to say "were of the same mind"?

More formal alternatives include "concurred with each other" or "held identical opinions". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is there a less formal alternative to "were of the same mind"?

Yes, a less formal alternative is to say they "saw eye to eye". This idiom is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate agreement.