Cool MateConsent vs We are agreed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consent
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1noun
We are agreed
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ConsentMost common: Consent
| Consent | We are agreed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsɛnt//🇺🇸 //kənˈsɛnt// | 🇬🇧 //wiː ɑːr əˈɡriːd//🇺🇸 //wi ɑr əˈɡrid// |
| Meaning | Permission to do something. | We all have the same opinion. |
| Example | The doctor asked for my consent before proceeding with the surgery. | After much discussion, we are agreed on the plan moving forward. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | informed consent, give consent, withhold consent | be agreed, are agreed, suddenly agreed, clearly agreed |
| Antonyms | disagreement, refusal, denial | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'consent' as a verb; it's primarily a noun in legal contexts., Overusing 'consent' in informal settings., Mixing up 'consent' with 'agreement'; they can differ in meaning. | Confusing with 'We agree' which is less formal., Using in past tense incorrectly, e.g. 'We were agreed'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in legal, medical, and ethical contexts. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing serious topics. | This phrase is often used in formal discussions or agreements. It may sound stiff in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Consent vs We are agreed
What's the difference between Consent and We are agreed?
Consent: Permission to do something. We are agreed: We all have the same opinion.
Which is more formal: Consent and We are agreed?
Consent is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Consent and We are agreed?
Consent is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Consent: The doctor asked for my consent before proceeding with the surgery. We are agreed: After much discussion, we are agreed on the plan moving forward.
Can I use Consent and We are agreed interchangeably?
Not always. Consent and We are agreed are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.