a fundamental decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fundamental decision" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decision that is of great importance or the basis for future actions. For example: "Making a fundamental decision about our future goals was difficult, but we eventually reached a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The nation faces a fundamental decision about priorities.

The New York Times

"This is a fundamental decision," Mr. Schick said.

The New York Times

Unless Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, makes such a fundamental decision, a permanent agreement is unlikely.

The New Yorker

There is a fundamental decision to be made and only the British people can make it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It currently faces a fundamental decision on a new orientation of its energy strategy.

Energy Policy

On 5 January a fundamental decision is being made about the direction the union is going in.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We are laying the foundations for a long-term project here, so getting the first-team manager is a critical, fundamental decision.

BBC

"That's a pretty fundamental decision that certainly I'm not going to make". At the final presidential debate in Nevada on 20 October, Mrs Clinton outlined her support for the measure.

BBC

"Cutting that many pages is a far more fundamental decision than just cutting staff," he said.

The New York Times

But "the Russians need to make a kind of fundamental decision on getting more serious and cracking down on those who violate their own export-control laws," the second senior official said.

The New York Times

But even before its new boss is selected, Yahoo has an even more fundamental decision to make, say analysts and other Internet watchers.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fundamental decision" when emphasizing the foundational impact of a choice on future outcomes. It signals that the decision is not merely tactical, but shapes subsequent actions and strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental decision" for minor or trivial choices. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental decision" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately describes a critical choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fundamental decision" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a choice with significant and lasting consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Science and Formal & Business writing. Related phrases include "a crucial choice" and "a pivotal determination", each offering slightly different shades of meaning. When using "a fundamental decision", ensure that the decision truly warrants such emphasis and is not a trivial matter. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for highlighting the importance of key choices in a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial choice

Replaces "decision" with "choice" and "fundamental" with "crucial", emphasizing the importance of the selection.

a pivotal determination

Substitutes "decision" with "determination" and "fundamental" with "pivotal", highlighting the turning-point nature of the decision.

a basic resolution

Replaces "fundamental" with "basic" and "decision" with "resolution" shifting the emphasis to the foundational aspect of the resolution.

a key judgment

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment" and "fundamental" with "key", focusing on the evaluation aspect of the decision.

an essential ruling

Replaces "decision" with "ruling" and "fundamental" with "essential", emphasizing the authoritative nature of the decision.

a central conclusion

Replaces "decision" with "conclusion" and "fundamental" with "central", focusing on the resulting deduction.

a primary consideration

Transforms the phrase to focus on the act of considering something of utmost importance before a decision is made.

a foundational agreement

Changes the focus to an agreement that serves as a base or foundation for future actions or decisions.

a strategic imperative

Elevates the decision to the level of a necessary and critical action for achieving a broader strategy.

a critical juncture

Shifts the focus from the decision itself to the point in time where a decisive choice must be made.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fundamental decision" to highlight a choice that has significant and lasting consequences. For example: "The company faces "a fundamental decision" about its future direction."

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental decision"?

Alternatives include "a crucial choice", "a pivotal determination", or "a key judgment". The best option depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "fundamental decision" or "key decision"?

"Fundamental decision" emphasizes the foundational nature of the decision, while "key decision" highlights its importance. Use "fundamental decision" when the choice will shape future actions and strategies, and "key decision" when it's a critical choice among many.

What makes a decision "fundamental"?

A decision is "fundamental" when it affects the core nature or function of something, or when it serves as a basis for further development. It's a decision that has far-reaching implications and cannot be easily reversed.