a decision by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decision by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the agent or person/entity responsible for making a decision. Here is an example: "The final outcome of the project was determined by a decision by the board of directors." This sentence indicates that the board of directors was the entity that made the decision regarding the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quizno's expects a decision by August.

The New York Times

Merkel is promising a decision by Christmas.

The Guardian - Business

The commission expects to issue a decision by Friday.

The New York Times

The justices will hook a decision by next June.

The Economist

Should you really make a decision by midnight?

The New York Times

He has a decision by a federal judge.

The New York Times

It is expected to make a decision by May.

The New York Times

A decision by Kia is expected in early fall.

The New York Times

It "was a decision by the newsroom," he told me.

The New Yorker

I think that deserves a decision by someone's peers".

The New York Times

A decision by the judge is expected this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attributing a decision, always specify the entity making the decision immediately after the phrase "a decision by" to avoid ambiguity. For example: "This was a decision by the committee, not an individual."

Common error

Avoid separating "a decision by" from the entity that made the decision with lengthy or ambiguous phrases, which can cause confusion about who is responsible. For instance, instead of "A decision by, after much deliberation, the board was reached", write "A decision by the board was reached after much deliberation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decision by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying the agent responsible for the decision. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, reinforcing its grammatical correctness and function of attribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decision by" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for attributing responsibility for a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and identifies it as very common, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, clarity is key: ensure the entity making the decision is clearly identified immediately after "a decision by". While alternatives like "a ruling from" or "a determination made by" exist, "a decision by" remains a versatile and neutral choice for various communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a ruling from

Emphasizes the formal nature of the decision, implying an official judgment.

a determination made by

Highlights the process of reaching a conclusion, often after careful consideration.

a verdict rendered by

Suggests a more formal or legal context, implying a judgment after deliberation.

a choice of

Focuses on the act of selecting between alternatives, with the 'by' indicating the selector.

an agreement reached by

Emphasizes consensus and collaborative aspect of the decision.

a conclusion drawn by

Highlights the reasoning and deduction process leading to the decision.

a resolution passed by

Implies a formal decision made by a governing body or organization.

an order issued by

Focuses on the authority and implementation aspect of the decision.

a judgment call by

Highlights the subjective and discretionary nature of the decision.

an assessment performed by

Focuses on the evaluative aspect of the decision, indicating it's based on thorough review.

FAQs

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

Use "a decision by" to attribute an action or outcome to a specific person, group, or entity. For example, "The company's growth was largely influenced by "a decision by" the CEO to invest in new technologies."

What's a good alternative to "a decision by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a ruling from", "a determination made by", or "a verdict rendered by" to convey similar meanings but with subtle differences in formality or emphasis.

Is it better to say "a decision by" or "a decision made by"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a decision by" is often more concise and direct. "A decision made by" can be used for emphasis or when you want to highlight the process of making the decision.

Can "a decision by" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a decision by" is suitable for formal writing, especially when attributing actions or policies to specific bodies or individuals. It is neutral in register and widely understood.