a collective decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision made by a group of people rather than an individual. Example: "After much discussion, we reached a collective decision to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The Labour party has to come to a collective decision by collecting evidence in a proper way".

The Guardian

It was a collective decision that I stand by.

Independent

We discussed it and came to a collective decision.

The Guardian

"We made a collective decision that he would not practice".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a collective decision, to avoid the daily commute.

The Guardian

People then have to evaluate the information before making a collective decision.

The Economist

This was a collective decision of the centre and the state governments concerned.

The New York Times

"It's almost impossible to get a collective decision out commissioners," he admitted.

The Guardian

"When you institute mass screening, you're making a collective decision that this is a good thing".

The New York Times - Health

It was a collective decision by power-seeking politicians on all sides.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Lib Dems took a collective decision to go into coalition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about decisions made by groups, use "a collective decision" to emphasize the collaborative nature of the process and the shared responsibility among the members involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective decision" when describing actions or choices made by a single individual. The phrase implies group consensus and shared responsibility, making it inappropriate for solitary actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective decision" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to a choice or resolution that is the product of group deliberation and agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective decision" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that denotes a decision reached through group consensus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity and accuracy, use it when referring to decisions made by groups, and consider alternatives like "a joint decision" or "a group decision" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that this phrase emphasizes shared responsibility and should not be used when describing individual choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a joint decision

Stresses the shared responsibility and involvement in the decision.

a common decision

Indicates a decision that is widely accepted or agreed upon within a group.

a collegial decision

Emphasizes the collaborative and respectful nature of the decision-making process among colleagues.

a concerted decision

Highlights the coordinated and purposeful effort behind the decision.

a cooperative decision

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of the decision-making process.

a corporate decision

Refers to a decision made within a business or organizational context.

a mass decision

Implies a decision made by a large group of people, potentially in a less structured way.

a class decision

Relates to a decision made by a specific group or category of individuals.

a leadership decision

Suggests the decision was made with the input or authority of leaders.

a firm decision

Emphasizes the solid and unwavering nature of the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective decision" to describe an agreement made by a group, as in, "The board reached "a collective decision" to invest in renewable energy".

What are some alternatives to "a collective decision"?

Alternatives include "a joint decision", "a group decision", or "a unanimous decision", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a collective decision" when one person makes the final call?

While the final decision may rest with one person, using "a collective decision" can still be appropriate if the decision-making process involved input and agreement from multiple parties.

What's the difference between "a collective decision" and "a consensus"?

"A collective decision" refers to the outcome of a decision-making process, while "a consensus" refers to the level of agreement among the group members. You might reach "a collective decision" through a consensus.