concurring opinion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “concurring opinion” mean?
In a court judgment, a separate written opinion by a judge who agrees with the final decision of the majority, but for different legal reasons or with additional emphasis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In a court judgment, a separate written opinion by a judge who agrees with the final decision of the majority, but for different legal reasons or with additional emphasis.
A judicial opinion that agrees with the outcome but not necessarily the legal reasoning of the majority opinion. It can be used to express alternative rationale, highlight different principles, or limit the scope of the majority's ruling. In broader discourse, it can metaphorically describe any supporting but distinct viewpoint that aligns with a main conclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both UK and US legal systems. In UK contexts, judges in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal may write "concurring judgments" or simply "concur," but the phrase "concurring opinion" is perfectly understood. US usage is more standardised and frequent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it signals scholarly legal analysis, judicial independence, and potential future legal nuance. In the US, it is a standard, named component of appellate court reporting.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the high volume of published US Supreme Court and federal appellate opinions. Less commonly discussed in everyday UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “concurring opinion” in a Sentence
The judge wrote a concurring opinion.Justice Smith filed a concurring opinion, arguing that...The concurring opinion concurred in the judgment only.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concurring opinion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Lord Briggs concurred, but wrote separately to clarify the point of statutory interpretation.
American English
- Justice Kagan concurred, authoring a separate opinion that narrowed the ruling's applicability.
adverb
British English
- She wrote concurringly, yet her rationale was fundamentally different.
American English
- He voted concurringly, filing a short opinion to record his agreement on narrower grounds.
adjective
British English
- The concurring judge emphasised the human rights aspect of the case.
American English
- The concurring justice wrote a powerful opinion that later became influential.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Irrelevant.
Academic
Used in law schools, political science, and legal scholarship to analyse judicial reasoning and precedent.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only in discussions of high-profile court cases.
Technical
Core usage in legal practice, court reporting, and judicial writing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concurring opinion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concurring opinion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concurring opinion”
- Using it to mean simply "agreeing" in non-legal contexts (e.g., 'My concurring opinion is that we should go.' – Incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'dissenting opinion'.
- Capitalising it unnecessarily unless it's part of a formal case citation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The court's final judgment is determined by the majority opinion. A concurring opinion does not create binding precedent on its own, but it can be influential in future legal arguments.
Yes. A judge may sign onto the majority opinion to make it the official judgment of the court and also write a separate concurring opinion to elaborate on specific points.
It is almost exclusively a legal term. In everyday language, people simply say "I agree, but..." or "I share that view, however..."
In practice, they are often used interchangeably. However, 'concurrence' can refer to the act of concurring, while 'concurring opinion' specifically denotes the written document.
In a court judgment, a separate written opinion by a judge who agrees with the final decision of the majority, but for different legal reasons or with additional emphasis.
Concurring opinion is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Concurring opinion: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈkɜːr.ɪŋ əˈpɪn.jən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈkɝː.ɪŋ əˈpɪn.jən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CONCERT where the main band (majority opinion) plays the hit song. A guest musician (concurring opinion) joins them on stage for the final number—they end the song together (same judgment) but the guest adds a different guitar solo (different reasoning).
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A JOURNEY: The concurring opinion is an alternative route that arrives at the same destination.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a concurring opinion?