a positive decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that has favorable or beneficial outcomes. Example: "After much deliberation, the committee reached a positive decision regarding the funding proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I expected a positive decision.

The New York Times

A positive decision in Honiara is in West Papua's interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We expect a positive decision of course," Mr. Rorive said.

The New York Times

Those who wish to register a positive decision to opt in can do so.

The Guardian

Those who wish to register a positive decision to opt in can still do so.

The Guardian

The Department of Energy and Climate Change said it is still confident of a positive decision.

The Guardian

"We think that we have met everyone's concerns and are hopeful for a positive decision".

The New York Times - Tech

That review ended at the end of June with a positive decision.

The New York Times

"I want an early decision and a positive decision and I'm confident that we'll get both," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Excluding Fox's stake, but including shareholders who made a positive decision to abstain from the vote, some 50.9% of shareholders failed to support Murdoch's appointment.

The Guardian - Business

For example, in Hungary – one of the countries with the highest share of asylum seekers – fewer than 10% of cases last year resulted in a positive decision.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, specify what makes the "positive decision" beneficial. For example, instead of "The board made a positive decision", try "The board made a positive decision, approving the new budget proposal."

Common error

Avoid using "a positive decision" as a generic filler. Ensure it genuinely reflects a beneficial outcome, not just a neutral one. If the decision's impact is unclear, rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive decision" functions as a noun phrase, where 'positive' modifies the noun 'decision'. It identifies a judgment or choice that leads to a beneficial or favorable outcome. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive decision" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase indicating a choice that yields favorable results. According to Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and business domains. When using this phrase, strive for clarity by specifying what makes the decision beneficial. While generally neutral in register, its impact is maximized when conveying genuine approval or satisfaction regarding a beneficial outcome. By considering these nuances, you can effectively utilize "a positive decision" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a favorable judgment

Replaces 'decision' with 'judgment', emphasizing the evaluation aspect.

an affirmative resolution

Substitutes 'positive' with 'affirmative' and 'decision' with 'resolution', highlighting the act of resolving something positively.

a successful outcome

Shifts the focus from the decision itself to its successful result.

a beneficial determination

Uses 'beneficial' in place of 'positive' to highlight the advantageous nature and swaps 'decision' with 'determination'.

an encouraging verdict

Emphasizes the encouraging nature of the decision, particularly in legal or evaluative contexts.

a constructive conclusion

Focuses on the conclusion being helpful and improving a situation.

a propitious ruling

Replaces "decision" with a more formal "ruling" and "positive" with "propitious", indicating a favorable circumstance or chance.

an optimistic resolution

Indicates the resolution has a positive and hopeful outlook.

a welcome conclusion

Highlights the relief or happiness associated with the decision.

a gratifying result

Focuses on the satisfying nature of the result following the decision.

FAQs

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

Use "a positive decision" when you want to indicate that a choice or judgment had a favorable outcome. For instance, "The committee's deliberation resulted in a positive decision, allocating funds for the project."

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

You can use alternatives like "a favorable judgment", "an affirmative resolution", or "a successful outcome" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a very positive decision"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "a very positive decision" can sometimes be redundant. Consider whether the "positive" aspect is already implied. If so, simply "a decision" may suffice; otherwise, consider stronger synonyms for "positive", or rephrase to specify the benefits.

What's the difference between "a positive decision" and "a good decision"?

"A good decision" is a general term for a correct or wise choice. "A positive decision" specifically implies that the decision led to a favorable or beneficial result. The latter emphasizes the outcome more than the quality of the decision-making process itself.