I once decided

USAGE SUMMARY

"I once decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It implies that something was chosen in the past and the consequences of that decision still remain in the present. For example: "I once decided to go to law school, and now I am a successful lawyer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Amy In elementary school, I once decided to be a churl for Halloween.

The New York Times

I once decided to try my hand at candlewicking a pillow cover.

The New York Times

Being a highly ineffective person, I once decided to read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

The Guardian - Money

As a shy teenager on school holiday I once decided to travel to Paddington, carrying in a long, suspicious-looking linen bag a stained cricket bat.

The Guardian - Sport

I once decided that I needed dark purple streaks all over my dirty blonde hair.

Huffington Post

I once decided to climb the front wall of a girlfriend's house carrying a bunch of flowers inside my jacket to surprise her on the terrace, instead of knocking on the front door.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Was I still a lesbian, as I had once decided?

The New York Times

So suppose that I just this once decide to act brave for the sake of being brave, even though usually I tend to act in a cowardly way.

Yale University

Brian and I, once we decided to partner up but before we had a deal, we decided to look for directors.

Huffington Post

He didn't take a very active role in persuading me or encouraging me to do this, but I think once I decided he was very pleased.

The New York Times

"Once I decided I wasn't going to drink, I thought, 'O.K., I've got to go back to that town,' " Ms. Anders said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "I once decided", ensure that the subsequent context clearly elucidates the outcome or ramifications of that decision. Doing so provides a more compelling and insightful perspective for the reader.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "I once decided" in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure and use other phrases to introduce past decisions or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I once decided" primarily functions as a sentence opener or clause introducer to set the stage for narrating a past decision and its subsequent consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The examples show its use in personal anecdotes and reflective writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I once decided" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to introduce a past decision and its ensuing narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from news articles to personal reflections. When using this phrase, it's important to provide relevant context and avoid overuse to maintain engagement. Alternatives like "I previously resolved" can be employed to add variety. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting its broad applicability across different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I previously resolved

Replaces 'decided' with 'resolved', emphasizing a firm decision made earlier.

I had determined before

Uses 'determined' to highlight a conclusive decision from the past.

I formerly chose

Substitutes 'decided' with 'chose', indicating a past selection.

I at one point opted

Replaces 'decided' with 'opted', showing a choice was made at a specific time.

I once made up my mind

Emphasizes the act of forming a decision in the past.

I had at some stage concluded

Uses 'concluded' to express a decision reached after consideration.

I had resolved at an earlier time

Adds detail about the timing of the resolution.

On one occasion I considered and chose

Highlights both the consideration and the final choice.

I at some point came to the conclusion

Emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion and making a decision.

In the past, I took a decision

A more formal way to say "I decided."

FAQs

How can I use "I once decided" in a sentence?

Use "I once decided" to introduce a past decision, such as "I once decided to learn a new language, and it opened up many opportunities."

What are some alternatives to saying "I once decided"?

You can use alternatives like "I previously resolved", "I had determined before", or "I formerly chose" depending on the context.

Is "I once decided" formal or informal?

"I once decided" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal contexts, consider using "I previously resolved" or similar phrases.

What's the difference between "I once decided" and "I decided"?

"I once decided" implies a single past decision, whereas "I decided" can refer to a more recent or ongoing decision. The former often introduces a story or reflection on a specific choice made at some point in the past.