Agree vs. Concur: What's the Difference?

By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on March 4, 2024

Agree and concur both signify assent, but "agree" is broader, used for opinions and proposals, while "concur" often implies formal or professional agreement.

Key Differences

When someone agrees with an opinion, proposal, or suggestion, they are expressing their personal assent or harmony with the idea presented. Agreement can occur in casual, informal contexts, such as agreeing to a friend's suggestion to meet for coffee, or in more formal settings, like agreeing to the terms of a contract. It encompasses a wide range of situations, from personal beliefs to official arrangements. Concur, on the other hand, carries a nuance of formality and is often used in professional, legal, or official discussions.

While "agree" can be applied to both the act of agreeing with someone and the state of being in agreement (such as agreeing to a plan or being in agreement on a policy), "concur" is typically used to explicitly state one's agreement with another's opinion or decision. This distinction makes "concur" less common in everyday language and more reserved for situations that require an explicit expression of assent.

"Agree" is versatile, encompassing agreement with things, ideas, people, and actions, making it suitable for a broad array of contexts. This versatility allows it to be used in almost any situation where there is harmony or accord, including agreements on actions, principles, or shared beliefs. In contrast, "concur" is more likely to be used in contexts where the agreement is between professionals or within a formal discourse. Its use implies a level of solidarity or endorsement, often in a specific area of knowledge or expertise, reinforcing the sense of professional or formal consensus.

Comparison Chart

Definition

To have the same opinion or accept a proposal.

To express agreement, especially formally or in a professional context.

Usage Context

Broad, including both formal and informal settings.

More formal or professional contexts.

Implication

Can indicate personal belief, acceptance of proposals, or harmony in decisions.

Often implies authority, expertise, or formal endorsement.

Versatility

Applicable to opinions, actions, ideas, and arrangements.

Mainly used for opinions, decisions, or judgments.

Commonality

Widely used in everyday language.

Less common, typically reserved for specific, often formal, situations.

Agree and Concur Definitions

Agree

To accept a suggestion or offer.

We agreed to meet at noon.

Concur

To align with someone's judgment.

We concur that this is the best course of action.

Agree

To share the same viewpoint.

I agree with your assessment of the situation.

Concur

To agree formally or professionally.

The committee concurred on the proposed changes.

Agree

To harmonize in opinion or feeling.

The team agreed that the project was a success.

Concur

To endorse another's viewpoint.

The experts concurred with the findings.

Agree

To be in accord in action or opinion.

We all agree that safety is our priority.

Concur

To agree, especially in a public or official capacity.

The board concurred with the CEO's strategy.

Agree

To share an opinion or feeling; be in accord

I agree with you on that. We agree in our taste in music.

Concur

To be of the same opinion; agree

Concurred on the issue of preventing crime.

Agree

To express consent; concur

We agreed to her suggestion.

Concur

To combine in bringing something about; act together

Factors that concurred to prevent a meeting of the leaders.

Agree

To accept or support a policy or program

I agree with the flat tax.

Concur

To occur at the same time; coincide

Icy sleet that concurred with a forceful wind.

Agree

To come to an understanding or agreement, as by negotiating

We agreed on the price.

Concur

(Obsolete) To converge; meet.

Agree

To be compatible or consistent

The copy agrees with the original. Your story agrees with mine.

Concur

To grant or concede

"French surgeons ... could only concur that it was a mortal wound" (Susan Dunn).

Agree

To be suitable, appropriate, pleasing, or healthful

Spicy food does not agree with me.

Concur

To agree (in action or opinion); to have a common opinion; to coincide; to correspond.

Agree

(Grammar) To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.

Concur

To meet in the same point; to combine or conjoin; to contribute or help towards a common object or effect.

Concurring plans

Concurring lines of thought

Agree

To share an opinion about (something)

My doctor and I agree that I should quit smoking.

Concur

(obsolete) To run together; to meet.

Agree

To grant or concede

My parents agreed that we should be allowed to go. I agreed to help my parents clean the house.

Concur

(rare) To converge.

Agree

(intransitive) To be in harmony about an opinion, statement, or action; to have a consistent idea between two or more people.

All parties agree in the expediency of the law.

I mostly agree with what you said, but I consider your last point to be unfair.

I couldn't agree more with what you say.

Concur

To run together; to meet.

Anon they fierce encountering both concurredWith grisly looks and faces like their fates.

Agree

To give assent; to accede

To agree to an offer, or to opinion.

The workers didn not agree to the new terms offered by the trade union.

Concur

To meet in the same point; to combine or conjoin; to contribute or help toward a common object or effect.

When outward causes concur.

Agree

To yield assent to; to approve.

Concur

To unite or agree (in action or opinion); to join; to act jointly; to agree; to coincide; to correspond.

Mr. Burke concurred with Lord Chatham in opinion.

Tories and Whigs had concurred in paying honor to Walker.

This concurs directly with the letter.

Agree

(intransitive) To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise.

Concur

To assent; to consent.

Agree

(intransitive) To resemble; to coincide; to correspond.

The picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly.

Concur

Be in accord; be in agreement;

We agreed on the terms of the settlement

I can't agree with you!

I hold with those who say life is sacred

Both philosophers concord on this point

Agree

To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well.

The same food does not agree with every constitution.

Concur

Happen simultaneously;

The two events coincided

Agree

To correspond to (another word) in a grammatical category, such as gender, number, case, or person.

In Romanian, all articles, adjectives, and pronouns agree in gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.

Concur

To express agreement with an opinion or decision.

I concur with the judge's ruling.

Agree

To consent to a contract or to an element of a contract.

Agree

To harmonize in opinion, statement, or action; to be in unison or concord; to be or become united or consistent; to concur; as, all parties agree in the expediency of the law.

If music and sweet poetry agree.

Their witness agreed not together.

The more you agree together, the less hurt can your enemies do you.

Agree

To yield assent; to accede; - followed by to; as, to agree to an offer, or to opinion.

Agree

To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise.

Agree with thine adversary quickly.

Didst not thou agree with me for a penny ?

Agree

To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; to correspond; as, the picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly.

Agree

To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well; as, the same food does not agree with every constitution.

Agree

To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.

Agree

To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends.

Agree

To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences.

Agree

Be in accord; be in agreement;

We agreed on the terms of the settlement

I can't agree with you!

I hold with those who say life is sacred

Both philosophers concord on this point

Agree

Consent or assent to a condition, or agree to do something;

She agreed to all my conditions

He agreed to leave her alone

Agree

Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;

The two stories don't agree in many details

The handwriting checks with the signature on the check

The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun

Agree

Go together;

The colors don't harmonize

Their ideas concorded

Agree

Show grammatical agreement;

Subjects and verbs must always agree in English

Agree

Be agreeable or suitable;

White wine doesn't agree with me

Agree

Achieve harmony of opinion, feeling, or purpose;

No two of my colleagues would agree on whom to elect chairman

Agree

To show consent or approval.

They agreed on the terms of the contract.

FAQs

Why might someone choose "concur" over "agree"?

To emphasize formality, professionalism, or to align with specific terminology in legal or official discussions.

Is concurring stronger than agreeing?

Concurring is not necessarily stronger but often implies a more formal or authoritative agreement.

Is it possible to agree without concurrence?

In practice, one can agree in a general sense without formally concurring, especially in informal contexts.

Can disagreement be expressed as "not concurring"?

Yes, saying you do not concur is a formal way of expressing disagreement.

Are there situations where "agree" is inappropriate but "concur" is?

In highly formal or specialized contexts, such as legal opinions, "concur" might be preferred for precision.

What happens if someone concurs with a decision but later changes their opinion?

Changing one's opinion after concurring typically requires formal retraction or clarification, especially in professional settings.

Do "agree" and "concur" always mean the same thing?

They share the core concept of agreement but differ in formality and context.

Can "agree" imply action while "concur" does not?

"Agree" can imply readiness to act on an agreement, whereas "concur" typically refers only to the agreement on opinions or decisions.

Is it common to use "concur" in written agreements?

"Concur" may be used in the narrative of written agreements to express formal agreement, though "agree" is more commonly found in the contractual clauses themselves.

How do "agree" and "concur" relate to consensus?

Both contribute to consensus, but "concur" often indicates a reached consensus in formal or professional contexts.

Can I use "concur" in casual conversation?

While you can, it's less common; "agree" is more typical for casual settings.

Is it possible to "agree to disagree" with "concur"?

The phrase "agree to disagree" is common, but "concur to disagree" is not used, as "concur" implies agreement, not the acknowledgement of a persistent difference.

Can "concur" only be used in response to others' opinions?

Primarily, yes. "Concur" is used to express agreement with someone else's opinion or decision rather than initiating agreement.

Can "agree" be used interchangeably with "concur" in legal documents?

While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "concur" is often preferred in legal documents for its formality and precision.

How does the choice between "agree" and "concur" impact communication clarity?

Choosing "concur" in formal settings can clarify the level of formality and authority behind the agreement, while "agree" is clearer in casual or broad contexts.

Are there synonyms that can replace "agree" or "concur" without changing the meaning?

Synonyms like "assent" or "accede" can replace "agree," and "endorse" or "approve" might substitute for "concur," but subtle connotations and formality levels may vary.

In what situations might "agree" be seen as too informal?

In formal debates, legal discussions, or academic papers, "agree" might be considered too informal, with "concur" being the preferred term.

How do cultural differences affect the use of "agree" vs. "concur"?

Cultural nuances might influence the preference for one term over the other, with "agree" being more universally understood and "concur" possibly seen as more formal or academic.

Does "concur" imply unanimity more than "agree"?

"Concur" does not inherently imply unanimity more than "agree," but its formal context often involves collective or unanimous decisions.

Does using "concur" over "agree" change the strength of an argument?

Using "concur" can lend a formal or authoritative tone to an argument, potentially affecting its perceived strength or credibility.

Casher vs. Cashier

Proximity vs. Distance

About Author

Written by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.

Co-written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.