Meaning & use
mutual consent
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a situation in which everyone involved freely agrees to something, especially to something important
Grammar: Commonly used after 'by' or 'with': by mutual consent, with mutual consent.
Patterns
- by mutual consent
- with mutual consent
- mutual consent between someone and someone
The marriage ended by mutual consent.
The patient gave mutual consent for the procedure after discussing it with the doctor.
The contract was canceled by mutual consent of both parties.
phrasefixed phraseformal
approval or permission that two or more people give at the same time and without pressure
Grammar: Often used in legal or formal writing about agreements or relationships.
Patterns
- give mutual consent
- obtain mutual consent
- mutual consent to something
Both sides gave mutual consent to the new rules.
The adoption required mutual consent from the birth parents.
They changed the terms of the lease with mutual consent.
Common combinations
- by mutual consent
- They separated by mutual consent.
- with mutual consent
- The project was stopped with mutual consent.
- give mutual consent
- Both partners gave mutual consent to the sale.
- mutual consent between
- There was mutual consent between the two groups.
Synonyms and how they differ
- agreement
- Agreement is a more general word for any shared decision; mutual consent emphasizes that everyone freely allows or approves something.
- approval
- Approval can come from one person or group, while mutual consent requires everyone involved to agree.
- permission
- Permission is often given by one person in authority; mutual consent stresses that all sides agree equally.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: mutual consent or mutual agreement?
mutual consent vs mutual agreement
Mutual agreement is about agreeing on a decision; mutual consent is more about giving permission or approval. They are close but not always interchangeable.
Practice
The couple decided to divorce ______ mutual consent.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'by mutual consent', meaning through shared agreement. 'In', 'at', and 'of' do not fit this expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mutual consent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.