a grave decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a grave decision' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a decision that is serious or important. For example, "John had to make a grave decision to leave his old job and start a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

THE Connecticut Supreme Court has denied a young woman suffering from Hodgkin Lymphoma the right to refuse chemotherapy on the grounds that the 17-year-old lacks the maturity to make such a grave decision.

The Economist

It is a grave decision, at a time when Iraq's disarmament is under way and the inspections have proved to be a credible alternative method of disarming that country.

The New York Times

Mr. Carino said that the old juvenile justice statutes viewed the transfer of a child's case to Superior Court as a grave decision, and so required a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances of the juvenile offender's life, with an eye toward treatment and rehabilitation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Mr Miliband said: "I'm clear that this is a very grave decision to take military action that the House of Commons would be making and I didn't think that that decision should be made on an artificial timetable.

Independent

He added: "I'm clear that this is a very grave decision to take military action that the House of Commons would be making and I didn't think that that decision should be made on an artificial timetable when the House of Commons wouldn't even have seen the evidence today from the UN weapons inspectors".

Independent

For members of the Western alliance "to go into open opposition" on a matter like Security Council resolution No. 1441, which clearly frames a war issue affecting American security after the Sept. 11 attacks, "that's a very grave decision," Mr.. Kissinger said.

The New York Times

Himmler said, "The grave decision had to be taken to cause this people to vanish from the earth .

Wikipedia

And when you're in a grave situation, you have to make grave decisions.

Vice

Of course these are serious problems for families facing grave decisions for their loved ones.

The New York Times - Arts

They must make grave decisions collectively, something that many find stressful.

The New York Times

Mr. Schäuble told legislators Tuesday that public spending would be cut in 2011 and "grave decisions lie ahead".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing decisions with significant moral or ethical implications, use "a grave decision" to underscore the weight of the choice.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a grave decision" for minor or inconsequential choices. This phrase is best reserved for situations with serious and far-reaching consequences to prevent diluting its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave decision" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant and weighty choice. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, supported by examples illustrating its application in serious contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave decision" is a phrase used to describe a choice that is serious, weighty, and consequential. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and usable status in English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, emphasizing the importance and potential repercussions of the decision. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant its gravity, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "a momentous choice" or "a critical determination" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a momentous choice

Replaces "grave" with "momentous", emphasizing the historical importance of the decision.

a critical determination

Substitutes both "grave" and "decision" to highlight the decisiveness and criticality of the matter.

a serious resolution

Replaces "decision" with "resolution", focusing on the firmness and resolve involved.

a significant judgment

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the decision by using "significant" and "judgment".

a consequential call

Replaces "decision" with "call", giving a more informal yet impactful tone, while "consequential" stresses the results.

a pivotal selection

Highlights the turning-point nature of the decision, using "pivotal" and "selection".

a far-reaching choice

Indicates that the decision has extensive and long-term effects.

a crucial conclusion

Replaces "decision" with "conclusion", focusing on it being an end point of deliberation, while "crucial" indicates high importance.

a life-altering decision

Emphasizes that the decision has dramatic and transformative impact on someone's life.

an earth-shattering determination

Uses hyperbole to express the extreme impact and seriousness of the decision.

FAQs

How to use "a grave decision" in a sentence?

Use "a grave decision" to describe a choice that carries significant weight, risk, or consequence. For example: "The president faced "a grave decision" regarding military intervention."

What can I say instead of "a grave decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a momentous choice", "a critical determination", or "a serious resolution" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a grave decision"?

It's appropriate when referring to decisions that have profound implications, often involving moral, ethical, or life-altering consequences. Avoid using it for trivial or everyday choices.

What's the difference between "a difficult decision" and "a grave decision"?

"A difficult decision" implies a challenging choice, while ""a grave decision"" suggests a serious choice with potentially dire consequences. The latter carries more weight and gravity.