a wise move

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wise move" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a decision or action that is considered intelligent, strategic, or beneficial. Example: The CEO's decision to expand their business into international markets was a wise move, as it resulted in increased profits and global recognition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A wise move.

The New York Times - Travel

That's a wise move.

The New York Times

This is a wise move.

The New York Times

It was a wise move.

The New York Times - Arts

A wise move in retrospect?

The Guardian - Music

It's probably a wise move.

The Guardian - Film

It proved a wise move.

The Guardian

Was it a wise move?

The New York Times

It didn't seem like a wise move.

Cornell University

It was probably a wise move.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a wise move," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wise move" when you want to commend a decision or action that demonstrates foresight and good judgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a wise move" is useful, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "a smart decision" or "a prudent step" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wise move" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or appositive. It typically follows a linking verb (such as 'is,' 'was,' or 'seems') to describe a preceding noun or pronoun, offering an evaluation of an action or decision. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a decision or action that is considered intelligent, strategic, or beneficial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wise move" is a commonly used phrase that expresses approval of a decision or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, highlighting its role in describing intelligent, strategic, or beneficial choices. This phrase is versatile, fitting well in neutral contexts such as news articles and general communications. While alternatives like "a smart decision" or "a prudent step" can add variety to your writing, "a wise move" remains a straightforward and effective way to commend foresight and good judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smart decision

Replaces 'move' with 'decision', emphasizing the decisional aspect of the action.

a judicious action

Substitutes 'wise' with 'judicious' and 'move' with 'action', providing a more formal tone.

a prudent step

Replaces 'wise' with 'prudent' and 'move' with 'step', suggesting careful consideration.

a sensible course of action

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive and elaborate alternative.

an intelligent choice

Replaces 'wise' with 'intelligent' and 'move' with 'choice', focusing on the intellect behind the action.

a strategic maneuver

Replaces 'move' with 'maneuver', highlighting the strategic aspect.

the right call

Offers a more informal and concise alternative.

a clever tactic

Replaces 'wise' with 'clever' and 'move' with 'tactic', focusing on ingenuity.

an astute measure

Replaces 'wise' with 'astute' and 'move' with 'measure', indicating keen judgment.

a well-considered plan

Suggests a deliberate and thoughtful approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wise move" to describe a decision or action that is considered intelligent or beneficial. For example, "Expanding the company's product line was "a wise move" given the increasing market demand."

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

Alternatives include "a smart decision", "a prudent step", or "a sensible course of action", depending on the specific context.

Is "a wise move" formal or informal?

"A wise move" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "a judicious action" may be preferred in very formal writing.

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

While both phrases are very similar, "a wise move" tends to emphasize foresight and good judgment, whereas "a smart move" may focus more on intelligence and cleverness. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance can depend on the specific situation.