a sweeping decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sweeping decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that has a broad or far-reaching impact, often affecting many people or aspects of a situation. Example: "The court's ruling was a sweeping decision that changed the landscape of environmental law in the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Even the defense attorneys did not have the temerity to ask for such a sweeping decision.

Cornell University

A sweeping decision that would settle the future of such programs appeared unlikely.

The New York Times

But by a vote of 6-3, she prevailed at the Supreme Court.Young v UPS was not a sweeping decision.

The Economist

Short of a sweeping decision by the Supreme Court that same-sex marriage is a right, change could come more slowly in the coming years.

The New York Times

Mr. Hayes also said that it would "contravene long-standing" board rules for a two-person majority to adopt such a sweeping decision.

The New York Times

That the justices decided to pick up these cases at all, constitutional scholars say, is a strong indicator of their intention to offer a sweeping decision.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned, it is unlikely to change the states' ability to say no to gay and lesbian marriage — but a more sweeping decision by the United States Supreme Court declaring a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry would.

The New York Times

It's time for New York women to be protected from a single sweeping decision by the Supreme Court, or legislation by Congressional Republicans that chips away at women's rights.

Huffington Post

When the American Foundation for Equal Rights AFERR) filed the Prop 8 case on behalf of two California same-sex couples, the original intent of the lawsuit was to secure this kind of broad, sweeping decision from the Supreme Court, a decision that would be in the tradition of Loving v. Virginia, the landmark 1967 decision that ruled interracial marriage bans unconstitutional.

Huffington Post

A sweeping court decision has ordered Connecticut to revamp nearly every aspect of its education policies, including funding.

The New York Times

In a sweeping June decision, the US's highest court unanimously ruled that police must obtain a warrant to search the contents of cellphones seized from people they have arrested.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sweeping decision", ensure the context clearly indicates the breadth and impact of the decision. Avoid vague language and provide specific examples of its consequences.

Common error

Be cautious about using "a sweeping decision" when the decision's effects are limited or localized. Ensure the term accurately reflects the scale of the decision's influence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sweeping decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "sweeping" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "decision". It describes the nature and scope of the decision itself. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sweeping decision" is a commonly used phrase to describe a decision with broad and significant consequences. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic sources, reflecting its use in discussions of legal rulings, policy changes, and organizational reforms. Related phrases like ""a far-reaching ruling"" and ""a comprehensive judgment"" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects the breadth and impact of the decision to avoid overstating its influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a far-reaching ruling

Emphasizes the extensive impact and consequences of the decision.

a comprehensive judgment

Highlights the thoroughness and completeness of the decision-making process.

a broad resolution

Focuses on the wide scope of the decision in addressing an issue.

a decisive action

Stresses the conclusive and impactful nature of the decision.

a wholesale change

Indicates a complete and transformative alteration resulting from the decision.

a transformative verdict

Highlights the power of the court decision to produce deep changes.

an extensive determination

Emphasizes the reach and scope of the decision that was made.

a comprehensive decree

Indicates the decision is an official order covering many aspects.

a radical determination

Emphasizes the significant deviation from previous norms or policies.

a watershed moment

Highlights the decision's significance as a turning point.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sweeping decision" to describe court rulings, policy changes, or organizational reforms that have a broad and significant impact. For instance, "The Supreme Court issued "a sweeping decision" on voting rights."

What are some alternatives to "a sweeping decision"?

Alternatives include "a far-reaching ruling", "a comprehensive judgment", or "a broad resolution", depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

What makes a decision "sweeping"?

A "sweeping" decision is one that affects many people, places, or things; it is wide-ranging and significant in its impact. The term implies that the decision has consequences beyond the immediate situation.

Is "a sweeping decision" always a positive thing?

Not necessarily. While "sweeping" suggests a major impact, whether that impact is positive or negative depends on the specific context and the effects of the decision. A sweeping decision can be controversial if it leads to unintended or undesirable outcomes.