a temporary decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"a temporary decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to a decision that is made with the understanding that it is likely to change in the near future. For example, "After much consideration, the board made a temporary decision to reduce staff hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Her husband had been paying about $1,400 a month under an agreement they worked out when she left, but once she filed for divorce last December, he signed over much of his property to his brother and won a temporary decision from the court to pay her just $300 a month, she said.

The New York Times

"Decisions we took to enhance liquidity and make sure our financial instruments are strong is a temporary decision".

The New York Times

She has made a temporary decision for just a few years, not a permanent decision for the rest of her life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Richard P. Mills, the state education commissioner, released a temporary decision on Aug. 26, just days before school started, siding with St. Basil, which upset residents and school officials in Garrison.

The New York Times

On Aug. 26, just days before school started, Richard P. Mills, the state commissioner of education, reached a temporary decision that the education of the children of St. Basil was the responsibility of the Garrison schools.

The New York Times

It said the original move had only been a "temporary decision" pending discussion with academic leadership of the University of Cambridge and a scheduled meeting with the Chinese importer in Beijing.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The fight was postponed by five months due to Jackson's A-Team filming commitments and his temporary decision to retire from fighting.

Wikipedia

An article on Saturday about a temporary custody decision involving a 4-year-old girl abandoned in Queens gave an incorrect location from relatives for the home where she is staying, and attributed a reference to it erroneously.

The New York Times

Her centre-left partners have leapt to her defence, calling the lifting of border controls "the only right thing to do" and a government spokesman stressed it was a temporary humanitarian decision.

The Guardian

"This temporary decision leaves the Russian side a certain space for maneuvering, including the possibility to organize the movement of Snowden to another country," Mr. Morozov, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house of Parliament, told the Interfax news agency.

The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal reported that the call was to express Disney executives' unhappiness at how the outrage "reflected on their marquee property". And a Disney/Lucasfilm spokesman said the company supports EA's temporary decision to end the crate-purchasing.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a temporary decision" when you want to communicate that a decision is not final and is subject to revision or change in the near future. It's useful in contexts where flexibility is required.

Common error

Avoid treating "a temporary decision" as if it were permanent. Clearly communicate the conditions under which the decision might be revisited to manage expectations and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temporary decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "temporary" modifies the noun "decision". It describes a decision that is not intended to be permanent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is standard in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a temporary decision" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a decision not intended to be permanent. It's commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts to indicate that a choice is subject to change. While confirmed by Ludwig AI as usable in written English, remember to manage expectations by clearly communicating the provisional nature of the decision. Consider alternatives like "a provisional decision" or "a tentative decision" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a provisional decision

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the decision, implying it's subject to change based on future events or information.

a tentative decision

Highlights the experimental or hesitant nature of the decision, suggesting it's not yet fully endorsed.

a short-term decision

Focuses on the limited duration of the decision's effect, useful when time is the key factor.

an interim decision

Implies the decision is made to fill a gap until a more permanent solution is found.

a conditional decision

Stresses that the decision depends on certain conditions being met or remaining in effect.

a revocable decision

Highlights that the decision can be taken back or cancelled at a later time.

a non-final decision

Underlines that the decision is not the last word on the matter and is open to revision.

a changeable decision

Indicates the decision is not set in stone and can be altered easily.

a fluid decision

Suggests the decision is adaptable and responsive to changing circumstances.

a stopgap decision

Implies the decision serves as a quick fix, rather than addressing the underlying issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a temporary decision" to describe a situation where the outcome is not final, such as, "The company made "a temporary decision" to reduce working hours during the slow season."

What phrases can I use instead of "a temporary decision"?

Alternatives include "a provisional decision", "a tentative decision", or "a short-term decision", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a temporary decision" and "a final decision"?

"A temporary decision" implies the possibility of change or reversal, while "a final decision" indicates a conclusion that is not expected to be altered.

Is it better to make "a temporary decision" or wait for complete information?

It depends on the circumstances. "A temporary decision" may be necessary when time is critical or information is incomplete, but it's important to acknowledge its provisional nature and be prepared to adjust it as needed.