build a consensus

Meaning

This phrase means to actively work toward getting a group of people to reach a general agreement or shared opinion. It is often used in formal discussions, community planning, or decision-making processes where diverse opinions must be unified. The tone is constructive and collaborative, emphasizing negotiation and mutual understanding.

Examples

• The committee spent weeks trying to build a consensus on the new community guidelines.

  The committee spent weeks trying to build a consensus on the new community guidelines.

• To move forward with the project, we need to build a consensus among all the stakeholders.

  To move forward with the project, we need to build a consensus among all the stakeholders.

• As a leader, her primary strength is her ability to build a consensus even in highly divided teams.

  As a leader, her primary strength is her ability to build a consensus even in highly divided teams.

• Before making any major changes to the curriculum, the board must build a consensus with the parents.

  Before making any major changes to the curriculum, the board must build a consensus with the parents.

• It is difficult to build a consensus when everyone has such conflicting priorities.

  It is difficult to build a consensus when everyone has such conflicting priorities.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to make a consensus before we make the final decision.

  ✓ We need to build a consensus before we make the final decision.

  Consensus is not 'made' like a decision; it is 'built' or 'reached' through discussion and compromise.

• ✗ The team built a consensus of the new schedule.

  ✓ The team built a consensus on the new schedule.

  The preposition used after 'consensus' is typically 'on' or 'about', not 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The mediator worked hard to ___ among the disputing neighbors.

  💡 To bring everyone to a general agreement.

  Show answer

  build a consensus

• It is hard to ___ when people are unwilling to compromise.

  💡 Establish a shared agreement.

  Show answer

  build a consensus