REACH AN AGREEMENT

[EverLivingPoet]

If people could "reach an agreement", could they also drop the "an", and just "reach agreement"?

[Mannysteps]

Not a teacher

Both are often used with the same meaning, but, personally I use "reach an agreement" as "to agree on one point" and "reach agreement" as "to agree globally."

Waiting for other opinions,

M.

[billmcd]

Not a teacher

Both are often used with the same meaning, but, personally I use "reach an agreement" as "to agree on one point" and "reach agreement" as "to agree globally."

Waiting for other opinions,

M.

Each could be used interchangeably but I like your distinction between the two.

[sunsunmoon]

Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

▪ They have been unable to reach agreement about how to achieve reform.
agreement means "a situation in which people share the same opinion : a situation in which people agree."

▪ They have come to an agreement. = They have reached an agreement.
agreement means "an arrangement, contract, etc., by which people agree about what is to be done."

Therefore, I don't think that "reach agreement" and "reach an agreement" are interchangeable. What do you think?

[Mannysteps]

Not a teacher

If you look at my usage, you'll see that it agrees with your opinion. But as what is correct in English very much depends on what writers and the supposedely "better educated" do, then I'd say they are interchangeable for who chooses that point of view.

M.