1
Core action
Arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
Example
The panel reached a consensus on the preferred explanation.
reach a consensus
/riːtʃ ə kənˈsensəs/ · reech uh kun-SEN-susagreement phrase
Arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
Use reach a consensus to express this relationship precisely: arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
What reach a consensus Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Researchers have not yet reached a consensus about the date.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
After several revisions, the committee reached a consensus on its recommendation.
Use reach a consensus Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The panel reached a consensus on the preferred explanation.
Researchers have not yet reached a consensus about the date.
After several revisions, the committee reached a consensus on its recommendation.
Precision Matters
Reach a consensus overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
reach a consensus
vs.Means arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
consensus
Means general agreement within a group.
reach a consensus
vs.Means arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
collaboration
Means the act of working jointly with other people or groups.
reach a consensus
vs.Means arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
reconcile
Means restore agreement or make apparently conflicting things compatible.
reach a consensus
vs.Means arrive at broad or general agreement after discussion or consideration.
in support of
Means as evidence, reasoning, or advocacy favouring a claim, proposal, or position.
Test reach a consensus in Context
The experts arrive at general agreement after considering alternatives.
1
After comparing all four reconstructions, the experts were able to ___ on the most likely sequence.