affect a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how certain factors or influences can change or impact a decision-making process. Example: "The new evidence presented in the case could significantly affect a decision regarding the trial's outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If so, is it likely to affect a decision about guilt or punishment?

The New York Times

It could affect a decision by the Federal Reserve, which is eyeing a potential interest rate increase this year.

The New York Times

An explanation for the results is that a person's insurance coverage tends not to affect a decision about calling an ambulance in a real emergency.

The New York Times

But he fails to spell out what Facebook's current policy is and how it would affect a decision to conduct a similar experiment today.

The Economist

Officials with the PGA of America said if a club is found to discriminate, it could affect a decision whether to hold a PGA Championship there.

Los Angeles Times

German stock market law requires publicly traded companies to alert investors as soon as they have unforeseen developments that could affect a decision to buy or sell the stock.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's proven that too much data can negatively affect a decision-making process.

Huffington Post

As written, some GDPR rules apply only to systems that are fully automated, which could exclude situations in which an algorithm affects a decision but a human is supposed to make the final call.

Nature

Amendment processes vary widely in their difficulty and complexity, and this will be a factor that affects a decision to seek to change the terms.

University of Chicago

There were many references to embarrassment as a barrier affecting a decision to participate in PA before this programme: I was too like paranoid of the size I was (participant E).

BMJ Open

Previous breeding experience seemed to affect a birds' decision to stay at the exact place of release.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "affect a decision", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is causing the influence. For example: "New data can "affect a decision" regarding budget allocation."

Common error

A common error is using "effect" (noun) instead of "affect" (verb). Remember that "affect" is typically used to describe the action of influencing something, while "effect" is the result of that influence. Example: Incorrect: The weather effected our decision. Correct: The weather "affected a decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect a decision" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "affect" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of influencing, and "decision" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing how various factors can modify choices.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affect a decision" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something influences a choice or judgment. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it is important to remember to not confuse it with the noun "effect". The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts, denoting a neutral formality. For alternative phrases, consider options like "influence a decision" or "impact a decision" depending on the desired nuance. Overall, this phrase is a reliable way to express the impact of various factors on decision-making processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence a decision

Synonymous; replaces "affect" with "influence", emphasizing the power to sway a choice.

impact a decision

Synonymous; uses "impact" to highlight the significant effect on the decision.

bear on a decision

More formal; suggests relevance or connection to the decision.

have a bearing on a decision

Similar to "bear on", but slightly more emphatic.

factor into a decision

Emphasizes that something is considered as part of the decision-making process.

shape a decision

Suggests a stronger influence, molding or forming the decision.

play a role in a decision

Highlights the involvement or contribution to the decision.

sway a decision

Indicates a persuasive influence, potentially changing the outcome.

determine a decision

Implies a decisive influence, directly dictating the outcome.

govern a decision

Suggests a controlling influence, setting the boundaries for the decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "affect a decision" to show how something influences a choice or judgment. For instance, "The new evidence could "affect a decision" in the trial." You can also use "influence a decision" or "impact a decision".

What's a more formal way to say "affect a decision"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "bear on a decision" or "have a bearing on a decision". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated style.

Is it correct to say "effect a decision"?

While "affect" (verb) means to influence, "effect" (noun) refers to a result. It's grammatically correct to say "affect a decision", meaning to influence it. "Effect a decision" is less common, but can be used to mean 'to bring about a decision', such as 'to effect a change'.

What factors might "affect a decision" in business?

Numerous factors can "affect a decision" in a business context, including market trends, financial constraints, and stakeholder opinions. Understanding these influences is crucial for effective decision-making.