a clear cut decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear cut decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that is straightforward and unambiguous, leaving no room for doubt or confusion. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, the committee reached a clear cut decision to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This validation also gives a clear cut decision rule for the number of factors derived from the OCP.

BMC Public Health

While it would be difficult to make a clear cut decision based on any individual trend in this case, the combination of several parameters increased the level of certainty about ongoing pathophysiological changes.

European Journal of Heart Failure

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It is a clear-cut decision.

BBC

"As an athlete you want a clear-cut decision about individual athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

All of the choices he looked at were hard, and only the Serb's involved a clear-cut decision in the moment.

The Economist

One judge had the contest even, a second scored it 115-113, and the third gave it the same margin, which mean a clear-cut decision for Foreman.

The New Yorker

There is an emphatic and simple "yes" from Ramprakash when he is asked if making himself available for the tour was a clear-cut decision.

The Guardian - Sport

If you accept the Atlantic Coast Conference argument (and I don't) that geography and greater revenues make for a clear-cut decision for Miami, how do we justify the A.C.C.'s invitations to Syracuse and Boston College?

The New York Times - Sports

It is often very difficult to make a clear-cut decision on whether any measure is wholly English since many bills have a financial impact on the UK as a whole, often affecting Treasury grants for the devolved nations.

The Guardian

Fuzzy decision analysis is then utilized to transform this imprecise information into a clear-cut decision on whether to cut or maintain the gas supply in a given area of the network.

Structural Safety

Stern remarked that "the experiment, if it can be carried out, (will result) in a clear-cut decision between the quantum-theoretical and the classical view" (Stern 1921, FW). Figure 12.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance the impact of "a clear cut decision" by following it with a brief explanation of why the decision was so straightforward. This provides further context and reinforces the idea of its unambiguous nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear cut decision" when the decision-making process involved significant debate, conflicting information, or subjective judgment. This phrase is most effective when the choice was objectively obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear cut decision" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "decision", indicating a decision that is unambiguous and easily determined. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a clear cut decision" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a decision that is straightforward and unambiguous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context reflects the lack of ambiguity in the decision-making process. Alternatives include "a straightforward decision", "an unambiguous decision", and "a decisive resolution", providing writers with several options to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a straightforward decision

Replaces "clear cut" with "straightforward", emphasizing the simplicity of the decision.

an unambiguous decision

Substitutes "clear cut" with "unambiguous", highlighting the lack of uncertainty.

a decisive resolution

Replaces both "clear cut" and "decision" with "decisive resolution", focusing on the conclusive nature of the outcome.

a definitive judgment

Changes "decision" to "judgment" and "clear cut" to "definitive", suggesting a formal and authoritative conclusion.

an incontestable choice

Replaces "decision" with "choice" and "clear cut" with "incontestable", emphasizing the lack of valid opposition.

an obvious determination

Changes "decision" to "determination" and "clear cut" to "obvious", indicating the decision was easily apparent.

a black and white decision

Replaces "clear cut" with "black and white", using a common idiom for something easily distinguishable.

a cut and dried decision

Uses a similar idiom, "cut and dried", to convey the same sense of finality and lack of ambiguity.

a plain decision

Replaces "clear cut" with "plain", stressing the simplicity and directness of the decision.

a simple decision

Substitutes "clear cut" with "simple", emphasizing the ease with which the decision was made.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear cut decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear cut decision" to describe a situation where the choice was obvious and straightforward. For example, "After reviewing the data, the committee made "a clear cut decision" to approve the funding."

What can I say instead of "a clear cut decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a straightforward decision", "an unambiguous decision", or "a decisive resolution" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a clear cut decision"?

It's appropriate when the decision was made without significant debate or ambiguity. The facts were clear, and the outcome was easily determined. It implies a lack of valid alternative options.

Is "a clear cut decision" formal or informal?

The phrase "a clear cut decision" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, alternatives such as "a definitive judgment" might be preferred.