a decisive mandate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive mandate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a clear and authoritative command or instruction, often in a political or organizational context. Example: "The election results provided the new government with a decisive mandate to implement their proposed reforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He won a decisive mandate.

The Economist

By year's end, he was back in The Lodge, with a decisive mandate from the voters.

The Guardian

Jeremy Corbyn was given a decisive mandate to save a dying political movement from the feckless and follies of its parliamentary party.

Independent

The last election of the 20th century pushed Mr Blair relentlessly towards a decisive mandate for his brand of centre-radicalism and his "time for a change" appeal.

The Guardian - Books

Neera Tanden, the president of the liberal research group Center for American Progress, called the election "a decisive mandate for a fair tax system where the wealthy contribute to address our deficit challenges".

The New York Times

But they refused to give a decisive mandate to any one force while punishing the center-right Christian Democrats, led by the departing Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, who resigned as leader after the election rout.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

She will have a slightly easier task as the electorate has delivered a very decisive mandate to the UPA.

HuffPost

"The board sought a clear and decisive mandate from shareholders to provide a platform for stability and is pleased that the voting has provided this," he said.

BBC

Ari Melber at The Nation called it, "the most decisive mandate for an assertive, progressive governing model in well over a generation".

Huffington Post

Dean inherited a party so dispirited after its defeat in 2004 that few other Democrats of note expressed the least interest in running it; the party he relinquishes this January, making way for whomever Obama chooses to succeed him, will firmly control all three power centers in Washington, brandishing a decisive governing mandate for the first time since 1992.

The New York Times - Magazine

With the Democrats retaining control of the House and Senate, Clinton will preside without a decisive popular mandate but with clear evidence that voters want a break with the status quo and the strength in Washington to break the deadlock of divided government that has frustrated voters and politicians alike for much of the past decade.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decisive mandate", ensure the context clearly demonstrates that the support or authorization is substantial and allows for significant action or change.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a decisive mandate" grants unlimited power. Even with strong support, actions should align with legal and ethical boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive mandate" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes a situation where an individual, group, or government receives strong support or authorization to carry out specific actions or policies, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive mandate" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase that signifies strong support or authorization. As verified by Ludwig, its primary function is to denote a clear and unambiguous endorsement, frequently in political or organizational contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase carries a neutral tone, implying that the recipient of the mandate is expected to act decisively. While alternative phrases such as "a clear victory" or "a resounding endorsement" exist, the core meaning remains focused on the substantial support conferred. Therefore, when employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context adequately reflects the magnitude and scope of the authority implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a resounding endorsement

Highlights the act of approval or support being strong and clear.

a sweeping victory

Conveys a sense of comprehensive success and widespread support.

a mandate for change

Specifically implies the support is for implementing significant changes.

a clear victory

Focuses on the outcome of a competition or election, implying strong support.

a powerful backing

Emphasizes the strength and influence behind the support.

an overwhelming majority

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of support, indicating a large proportion in agreement.

a strong consensus

Highlights the agreement among a group of people.

a firm approval

Highlights the resolute aspect of the support received.

a popular acclamation

Focuses on the widespread public support and enthusiastic approval.

an absolute authorization

Focuses on the complete and unrestricted permission granted.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decisive mandate" to describe a situation where someone has received strong support or authorization to take action. For example, "The election results gave the president "a decisive mandate" to implement his policies".

What's a good alternative to "a decisive mandate"?

Alternatives include "a clear victory", "a resounding endorsement", or "an overwhelming majority", depending on the specific context.

Is it always positive to have "a decisive mandate"?

While generally positive, "a decisive mandate" also carries responsibility. It implies that the person or group receiving the mandate is expected to act decisively and effectively, and they will be held accountable for their actions.

What does "a decisive mandate" imply about the opposition?

"A decisive mandate" often suggests that the opposition faces significant challenges in hindering the actions authorized by the mandate, as public opinion and support are strongly aligned with the mandate's recipient.