a decisive impact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive impact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the significant effect or influence something has on a situation or outcome. Example: "The new policy had a decisive impact on the company's overall performance, leading to increased profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

ECJ rulings are binding on British courts and its decision could have a decisive impact on the powers of GCHQ, the Cheltenham-based monitoring agency.

The Guardian

And refereeing decisions can have a decisive impact on the outcome.

BBC

Nothing could bring Evans back from the dead, but the case and the book had a decisive impact on Britain's decision to abolish the death penalty in 1964.

The Guardian

A decisive impact to crush Tottenham hearts.

The Guardian - Sport

"My election had a decisive impact.

The Guardian

Gomez himself wouldn't make a decisive impact.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, we may have a decisive impact early.

The New York Times

Divorce has a decisive impact on children and others.

The New York Times

"I think it was a decisive impact," Mr. Sims said.

The New York Times

The winger roamed with typical pace without exerting a decisive impact.

The Guardian - Sport

These moves had a decisive impact on the coalition's response to the widening insurgency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive impact" when you want to emphasize that something had a significant and clear effect on a particular outcome. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and can add weight to your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive impact" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a big effect" or "a major influence" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive impact" functions as a noun phrase that acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a significant and definitive effect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decisive impact" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a significant and clear effect. As Ludwig AI points out, the expression is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, especially formal and professional settings. While it is more appropriate for formal writing, it is crucial to use it correctly and avoid overuse in informal contexts. Alternatives like "a critical effect" or "a significant influence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, solidifying its place as a valuable tool for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical effect

Replaces "decisive" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and necessity of the effect.

a significant influence

Substitutes "impact" with "influence", focusing on the power to affect something.

a pivotal role

Changes the structure to highlight a crucial function rather than a direct impact.

a game-changing effect

Uses a more informal expression, emphasizing the transformative nature of the impact.

a determining factor

Focuses on the role of the impact as a key element in a decision or outcome.

a major consequence

Shifts the emphasis to the result or outcome of the impact.

a considerable effect

Uses "considerable" instead of "decisive" to indicate a substantial but potentially less definitive impact.

a powerful influence

Replaces "decisive" with "powerful" to emphasize the strength of the effect.

a telling contribution

Highlights the contribution made by the impact, suggesting it reveals something important.

a crucial contribution

Highlights the importance of the contribution and its effect to something

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive impact" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive impact" to describe something that had a significant and clear effect on an outcome. For example: "The new policy had "a decisive impact" on reducing carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive impact"?

Alternatives include "a critical effect", "a significant influence", or "a pivotal role", depending on the specific context.

Is "a decisive impact" formal or informal?

"A decisive impact" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news-related contexts. It might sound out of place in casual conversations.

What's the difference between "a decisive impact" and "a significant impact"?

"A decisive impact" suggests a more definitive and clear-cut effect than "a significant impact". While both indicate importance, "decisive" implies that the impact was crucial in determining the outcome.