a wise decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wise decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has made a decision which was sensible, reasonable, or well thought out. For example: "The mayor made a wise decision to budget for more funding for public education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A wise decision, no doubt).

The New York Times

This proved a wise decision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This may prove a wise decision.

The Economist

Would that have been a wise decision?

The New Yorker

They have made a wise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

It proved to be a wise decision.

The New York Times

Would this be a wise decision?

Independent

It may have been a wise decision.

The Economist

It was a wise decision.

The New York Times - Style

I know it wasn't a wise decision.

The New York Times

A wise decision on her part.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wise decision", ensure the context clearly indicates why the decision is considered wise. Explain the benefits or positive outcomes that result from it.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "a wise decision" without providing context or explanation. Clearly articulate the reasons behind the decision's wisdom to avoid sounding generic or unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wise decision" functions as a subjective assessment, typically used to express approval or commendation of a choice. It positions the decision as being beneficial or well-considered, based on available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

24%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wise decision" is a commonly used phrase to positively evaluate a choice, implying foresight and good judgment. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is versatile across contexts, with a higher frequency in news and media, academic writing, and sports reporting. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to ensure its relevance. Consider alternatives like "a judicious choice" or "a prudent action" for nuanced expressions. Avoid overusing the phrase without clear justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a judicious choice

Replaces 'decision' with 'choice' and 'wise' with 'judicious', emphasizing careful judgment.

a prudent action

Substitutes 'decision' with 'action' and 'wise' with 'prudent', focusing on cautiousness and foresight.

a sensible course of action

Replaces 'decision' with 'course of action' and 'wise' with 'sensible', stressing practicality and reason.

a well-considered option

Replaces 'decision' with 'option' and 'wise' with 'well-considered', highlighting thoughtfulness and deliberation.

a sound judgment

Replaces 'decision' with 'judgment' and 'wise' with 'sound', focusing on the quality of the reasoning.

an astute move

Replaces 'decision' with 'move' and 'wise' with 'astute', emphasizing cleverness and strategic thinking.

a sagacious determination

Replaces 'decision' with 'determination' and 'wise' with 'sagacious', highlighting profound wisdom.

a well-advised step

Replaces 'decision' with 'step' and 'wise' with 'well-advised', suggesting that guidance was followed.

a discerning selection

Replaces 'decision' with 'selection' and 'wise' with 'discerning', emphasizing acute perception and understanding.

a strategic call

Replaces 'decision' with 'call' and 'wise' with 'strategic', underlining its importance in achieving a particular aim.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wise decision" to positively affirm a choice, especially when highlighting foresight or good judgment. For example, "Choosing to pursue further education was "a wise decision" that opened up many opportunities."

What are some alternatives to saying "a wise decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a judicious choice", "a prudent action", or "a sensible course of action" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to describe a choice as "a wise decision"?

No, it's important to provide context or explanation to justify why the decision is considered wise. Simply stating that something is ""a wise decision"" without elaboration can sound generic or unsubstantiated.

What's the difference between "a wise decision" and "a smart decision"?

While both phrases indicate a good choice, ""a wise decision"" often implies foresight and good judgment, while "a smart decision" emphasizes intelligence or cleverness. The best choice depends on the specific context.