a radical decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a radical decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is extreme or significantly different from the norm. Example: "The board made a radical decision to completely overhaul the company's structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Three months ago I took a radical decision.

The Guardian

In 2006, the company made a radical decision.

The Guardian

"I made a radical decision for an artist — to put my work away," he said.

The New York Times

That view, however, ignores the long-term impact of such a radical decision.

The Guardian

With no understudy and a performance looming, Mr. Fischoff made a radical decision.

The New York Times

Little analysis was offered by the government, certainly not enough to back up such a radical decision.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In a startlingly radical decision for a supposedly conservative majority, the justices, led by Anthony Kennedy, overturned a federal law that barred corporations from spending money on political ads and other speech in the run-up to an election.

Forbes

In a more radical decision, Mr. Sharansky returned to Kfar Kassem, an Arab village, some land that had been confiscated "for security reasons" in the 1950's.

The New York Times

"It was a pretty radical decision, and I didn't sleep that night because I knew that what we were doing was going to have a lot of different repercussions," Dr. Heymann said.

The New York Times

One is still conscious of some of these enormous casualties, just as in the great Cornish gardens (planted at roughly the same period in the 19th century) one is aware of the problems created when trees and hedges are left to their own devices, and a generation passes before any radical decisions are made.

The Guardian - Books

It is ironic that the so-called conservative majority on the court made the most radical decision possible, overturning a century of precedent, nullifying election laws of many states, and laws passed by Congress, including McCain-Feingold.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a radical decision", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the significant departure from conventional norms or expected actions that makes the decision 'radical'.

Common error

Avoid using "a radical decision" for minor adjustments or routine decisions. The phrase implies a fundamental shift or a significant break from established practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a radical decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "radical" modifies the noun "decision". Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a radical decision" is used to describe choices that represent a significant departure from established norms, and, as Ludwig AI confirms, is both correct and suitable for use. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the decision genuinely reflects a substantial shift or change in direction. Related phrases include "a drastic choice" and "a revolutionary determination", which offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a drastic choice

Replaces "radical" with "drastic", emphasizing the severity or extreme nature of the decision.

a revolutionary determination

Substitutes "radical" with "revolutionary" and "decision" with "determination", highlighting the transformative impact.

a game-changing judgment

Replaces "radical" with "game-changing" and "decision" with "judgment", emphasizing the significant impact on future outcomes.

a bold move

Uses a more concise and direct alternative, focusing on the courage and risk involved in the decision.

a decisive shift

Emphasizes the clear and impactful change resulting from the decision.

an extreme measure

Highlights the intensity and far-reaching implications of the decision.

a transformative step

Focuses on the positive change and improvement brought about by the decision.

an unconventional approach

Stresses the departure from typical methods or strategies.

a groundbreaking resolution

Emphasizes the innovative and pioneering nature of the decision.

an unprecedented action

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior instances of such a decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "a radical decision" to describe a significant and unconventional choice, such as "The company made "a radical decision" to shift its focus to renewable energy".

What's a good alternative to "a radical decision"?

Alternatives include "a drastic choice", "a revolutionary determination", or "a game-changing judgment", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a radical decision" in formal writing?

Yes, "a radical decision" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing a significant departure from the norm. However, ensure that the context justifies the use of the word "radical".

What makes a decision "radical"?

A decision is considered "radical" when it deviates significantly from established norms, conventions, or expectations. It often involves a fundamental shift in strategy, approach, or perspective.