a one-time decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a one-time decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a choice or determination that is made only once and is not intended to be repeated. Example: "Choosing to move to a new city was a one-time decision that changed my life forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The officials emphasized that Mr. Burns's participation was a one-time decision, that he would not meet one-on-one with Mr. Jalili and that he would reiterate the administration's demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment.

The New York Times

Unlike the Do Not Track signals, which would allow users to make a one-time decision about all online tracking from their own browsers, the industry program requires people to go to a site, where they can opt out of receiving marketing offers from several hundred companies based on data-mining.

The New York Times

By being single-act, it is implied that each decision maker (i.e., the leader and the follower) must make a one-time decision.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

"This is a one-time decision… and I think that the crowds will do an excellent job in making that kind of decision".

BBC

That is, they will make a one-time decision that limits them to a better course of action in the future.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Let and denote, respectively, the false alarm and the missdetection probabilities, when PU detection is carried out just once (i.e., for one-time decision on PU existence).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

To overcome this deficiency, the idea of combining SCOS and OACR into one-time decision in one console is first presented in this paper, named Dual Scheduling of Cloud Services and Computing Resources (DS-CSCR).

Computers in Industry

While efficiency behaviors refer to one-time decision making, such as installing solar panels, curtailment behaviors are actions that need to occur on a frequent basis in order to be effective, e.g., switching off lights and electrical appliances.

Human Ecology

The Newsboy (Newsvendor) problem is probably the simplest of all stochastic inventory problems, involving a one-time purchase decision and a stochastic sales outcome.

European Journal of Operational Research

Instead of making a one-time bad decision, this Roomba wasn't turning after hitting the wall the last 43 times.

Huffington Post

"A one-time release would be a terrible decision, and we need a fundamental change in the way we deal with criminals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a one-time decision", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the decision is not intended to be repeated or revisited. This helps avoid any ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid downplaying the importance of "a one-time decision". Just because a decision is made only once doesn't mean it lacks impact or significance. Ensure the surrounding text reflects its true importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-time decision" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "decision". It specifies the nature of the decision as being singular and non-repetitive, as evidenced in Ludwig's examples where it describes actions taken only once.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one-time decision" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a choice made only once. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is frequently found in news, media and scientific contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key: be sure to highlight the decision's importance, even if it’s only made once. Consider alternatives like "a single decision" or "a unique decision" to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single decision

Focuses on the singularity of the decision, rather than the time aspect.

a solitary decision

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the decision.

a non-recurring decision

Highlights that the decision will not be repeated.

a unique decision

Stresses the distinctiveness and infrequency of the decision.

a once-off decision

British English equivalent, emphasizing the singularity.

an isolated decision

Highlights the separation of the decision from other related choices.

a singular decision

Similar to "single decision" but sounds slightly more formal.

a final decision

Indicates that the decision is not subject to further change.

a definitive decision

Suggests a conclusive and authoritative decision.

a conclusive decision

Emphasizes that the decision brings something to a definite end.

FAQs

How can I use "a one-time decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a one-time decision" to describe actions like: "Choosing to invest in solar panels was "a one-time decision" that reduced our energy bills" or "The company made "a one-time decision" to forgive the debt."

What's the difference between "a one-time decision" and "a recurring decision"?

"A one-time decision" refers to a choice made only once, while "a recurring decision" involves repeated choices over time. For example, choosing a college is often "a one-time decision", while managing a budget involves recurring decisions.

What can I say instead of "a one-time decision"?

Alternatives to "a one-time decision" include "a single decision", "a unique decision", or "a non-recurring decision" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "one-time decision" or should it be "one time decision"?

The hyphenated form, "one-time decision", is generally preferred as it functions as a compound adjective modifying "decision". While "one time decision" might be understood, it's less grammatically conventional.