Points of agreement include

This phrase is perfect for kicking off a summary of shared ideas. You can use it at the beginning of a paragraph in an email, or mid-conversation. Imagine you're planning a trip with friends. You might say, 'Okay, points of agreement include that we want to go somewhere warm, and we're all free the first two weeks of July. Now, about the budget...' See? It neatly packages the agreed-upon stuff. It works in both spoken and written English. Just make sure the points you list *actually* are points of agreement. No bluffing allowed!

This phrase sits comfortably in the 'neutral to slightly formal' zone. It's professional enough for a business meeting or a formal report, but not so stiff that you can't use it with colleagues you know well. You could even use it in a detailed email to a friend if you're trying to organize something complicated, like a group project or a family reunion. It sounds organized and thoughtful. It’s not casual slang, but it’s also not overly academic. Think of it as smart casual for your vocabulary – always appropriate!

• In a project meeting: 'So, to recap before we move to the next agenda item, our points of agreement include the project deadline and the core features we'll implement.'
• Negotiating with a roommate: 'Our points of agreement include keeping the common areas clean and splitting the rent equally. Now, let's discuss the quiet hours.'
• Writing a summary report: 'Following our discussion, the points of agreement include adopting the new software and allocating resources for initial training.'
• Planning a surprise party: 'Okay, points of agreement include that the theme is 80s retro and the guest of honor loves cheesy pop music. We're halfway there!'

Use points of agreement include when you need to:

• Summarize what's already settled in a discussion.
• Transition from agreed-upon topics to more contentious ones.
• Ensure everyone is on the same page before proceeding.
• Demonstrate that you've been listening and are ready to move forward collaboratively.
• Kick off a meeting segment where you're building on prior consensus.
• Conclude a section of a negotiation or debate.

It’s like hitting the 'save' button on your shared understanding. It’s also great for when you need to gently steer a conversation back on track after it’s gone off on a tangent. You know, like when someone starts talking about their cat during a budget meeting? Oops!

Avoid points of agreement include when:

• There are no actual points of agreement yet. This would be confusing or even dishonest.
• You want to introduce a completely new topic without reference to prior discussion.
• The conversation is purely casual and doesn't require summarizing common ground (e.g., chatting about the weather).
• You're trying to be extremely brief and informal; shorter phrases might work better.
• You want to emphasize disagreement. This phrase is all about harmony, not discord. Don't use it to highlight what you *don't* agree on – that’s a different conversation entirely!
• You're texting a quick 'LOL' – probably overkill.

• Using it when there's no agreement: ✗ 'Our points of agreement include that the sky is green.' → ✓ 'We need to discuss the color of the sky.' (This is just silly!)
• Listing points that aren't actually agreed upon: ✗ 'Points of agreement include that I'll do all the dishes.' → ✓ 'Let's discuss who will do the dishes.' (Unless you've already agreed, of course!)
• Overusing it: Saying it every time you agree on something small can sound robotic. Save it for summarizing key points.
• Incorrect phrasing: Sometimes people might say 'points of agreement *is* include' which is grammatically wrong. Remember, 'points' is plural!
• Forgetting the 'include': Just saying 'Points of agreement...' feels incomplete. The 'include' or 'are' is crucial.

• More Formal: 'The consensus reached thus far includes...', 'Key areas of accord are...', 'We have established common ground on the following points:'
• Slightly Less Formal: 'So, we agree on...', 'What we've settled on is...', 'We're all on board with...'
• Very Casual: 'Okay, so we're good on X and Y?', 'Yeah, we're agreed on those things.'
• Regional: In some contexts, especially in more formal British English, you might hear 'common ground includes' or 'areas of mutual understanding are'. American English tends to be a bit more direct with phrases like 'what we agree on is'.

• Is it always formal? No, it's quite versatile, leaning neutral-to-formal but usable in many contexts.
• Can I use it in a text? Yes, if you're organizing something detailed, but maybe not for a quick 'wyd?' text.
• What if we disagree on most things? Then this phrase isn't your friend! You'd use phrases focusing on disagreement instead.
• Does it sound old-fashioned? Not at all! It's a standard, professional phrase that remains current.