agree

agree
agree
is used intransitively (without an object) with about, on, to, upon, and with, or with a that-clause, and transitively (with an object) to mean ‘to arrange or settle (a thing in which various interests are concerned)’; there are examples of this transitive use in the OED from the 16c. In the 20c, another transitive use, equivalent to ‘agree to; approve’ became common in BrE. This use is sometimes disapproved of but without any good reason, since the only difference is that one party rather than several is involved in the decision. Examples:

• The European Commission yesterday agreed a supplementary budget for this year which would use up every single European currency unit (ECU) available to the EEC budget —Times, 1983

• You agree a price with someone but you must be aware that you might be doing business with that person over the next year and that leaves you wide open to any change in the exchange rate —Daily Post (Liverpool), 2007.


Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • agréé — [ agree ] n. m. • 1829; de agréer ♦ Mandataire représentant les parties au tribunal de commerce. La profession d agréé a fusionné en 1971 avec celles d avocat et d avoué. ● agréé nom masculin Mandataire qui représentait les parties au tribunal de …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • agree — a‧gree [əˈgriː] verb [intransitive, transitive] 1. to make a decision with someone after a discussion with them: • They have agreed a price for the land. • He has agreed a new two year contract. agree to do something • The company agreed in… …   Financial and business terms

  • Agree — A*gree , v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Agreed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Agreeing}.] [F. agr[ e]er to accept or receive kindly, fr. [ a] gr[ e]; [ a] (L. ad) + gr[ e] good will, consent, liking, fr. L. gratus pleasing, agreeable. See {Grateful}.] 1. To harmonize… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • agree — 1 *assent, accede, consent, acquiesce, subscribe Analogous words: *grant, concede, allow: accept, *receive: admit, *acknowledge Antonyms: protest (against): differ (with) Contrasted words …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • agree — agree; agree·a·bil·i·ty; agree·a·ble·ness; agree·a·bly; agree·ment; dis·agree; agree·a·ble; …   English syllables

  • agree — vb agreed, agree·ing vt: to share an opinion that agreed the terms were fair vi 1: to share an opinion, understanding, or intent unable to agree on a verdict New York Law Journal …   Law dictionary

  • agréé — agréé, ée 1. (a gré é, ée) part. passé. Reçu, admis, accueilli. Ma recherche a été agréée. Ses présents furent agréés (voy. agréer 1). agréé 2. (a gré é) s. m. Défenseur admis à plaider devant un tribunal de commerce. ÉTYMOLOGIE    Agréer 1.… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • agree — ► VERB (agrees, agreed, agreeing) 1) have the same opinion about something. 2) (be agreed) (of two or more parties) be in agreement. 3) (agree to) express willingness to comply with (a request, suggestion, etc.). 4) …   English terms dictionary

  • agree — [ə grē′] vi. agreed, agreeing [ME agreen < OFr agreer, to receive kindly < a gré, favorably < a (L ad), to + gré, good will < L gratus, pleasing: see GRACE] 1. to consent or accede (to); say “yes” 2. to be in harmony or accord [their… …   English World dictionary

  • Agree — A*gree , v. t. 1. To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”