a critical decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that is very important or has significant consequences. Example: "Choosing the right supplier was a critical decision that impacted the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A critical decision in the support of critically ill patients with AKI is when to initiate RRT.

Critical Care

First, though, the administration had to make a critical decision.

The New York Times

Seton Hall's muddled administration now faces a critical decision.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a critical decision for anyone who is going to build.

The New York Times

The masters insisted that such a critical decision should be left to the experts.

The New York Times

It's a critical decision so you have to make the ref's mind up.

The Guardian - Sport

But while Griffin rehabilitates the injury, the Redskins will also face a critical decision.

The New York Times - Sports

"This was a critical decision, and one that I did not make lightly," Mr. Christie said.

The New York Times

Britain needs to make a critical decision on Trident in 2016.

Independent

Meanwhile the judge presiding over Brenda's civil case makes a critical decision.

The New York Times

As inspections proceed and more information becomes available, the world will move closer to a critical decision.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a critical decision", ensure the context clearly indicates why the decision is important and what its potential impact might be.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical decision" for minor choices. Reserve it for situations where the outcome has significant consequences or long-term implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical decision" functions as a noun phrase, where 'critical' modifies the noun 'decision'. It highlights the importance or crucial nature of a particular choice or determination. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical decision" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of a choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the significance of the decision. Alternatives such as "a pivotal choice" or "a crucial judgment" can be used to vary your writing style. Remember that overusing this phrase for minor decisions can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations with substantial consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal choice

Replaces 'critical' with 'pivotal', emphasizing the turning point aspect of the decision.

an essential determination

Substitutes 'critical' with 'essential' and 'decision' with 'determination', highlighting the necessity of the decision.

a crucial judgment

Replaces 'critical' with 'crucial' and 'decision' with 'judgment', focusing on the decisiveness involved.

a vital conclusion

Substitutes 'critical' with 'vital', emphasizing the importance and life-affecting nature of the decision.

a momentous resolution

Replaces 'critical' with 'momentous' and 'decision' with 'resolution', stressing the historical significance of the decision.

a significant finding

Substitutes 'critical' with 'significant' and 'decision' with 'finding', highlighting the important discovery as a result of the decision.

a key resolution

Replaces 'critical' with 'key' and 'decision' with 'resolution', focusing on the primary importance of the decision.

an influential determination

Replaces 'critical' with 'influential' and 'decision' with 'determination', emphasizing the wide impact of the decision.

a consequential choice

Substitutes 'critical' with 'consequential', focusing on the results and implications of the choice.

an imperative choice

Replaces 'critical' with 'imperative', stressing the urgent need for the choice.

FAQs

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

You can use "a critical decision" to describe a choice with substantial impact. For example: "Choosing the right university was "a critical decision" for her future career."

What are some alternatives to saying "a critical decision"?

Alternatives include "a pivotal choice", "a crucial judgment", or "an essential determination" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a very critical decision"?

Adding "very" to "a critical decision" can be redundant, as "critical" already implies high importance. Consider using a stronger alternative, such as "a pivotal choice", instead.

What makes a decision "critical"?

A decision is "critical" when it has a significant impact on future outcomes, involves substantial risks, or affects important goals or values. It often requires careful consideration and analysis.