affect the decisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect the decisions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain factors or influences can change or impact choices made by individuals or groups. Example: "The new data will significantly affect the decisions made by the board during the upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And the framing will affect the decisions.

The New York Times - Books

Finally, they had to anticipate how their moves would affect the decisions of competing teams.

Harvard University

This course examines the individual and collective factors that affect the decisions that managers make in their everyday work lives.

Columbia University

Until the donee beneficiary obtains vested rights, he is without power to affect the decisions made by the contracting parties.

Harvard University

Could the costs of various sentences become so widely known as to affect the decisions of jurors?

The New York Times

Essentially, Heavy Rain places destiny in players' hands – letting you affect the decisions and actions that ultimately determine how the game unfolds.

The Guardian - Tech

He added: "The big question this year is China, and how China is able to affect the decisions of others," he said.

The Guardian

Saudi Arabia remains the central power in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and its position will ultimately affect the decisions of the smaller states.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

What if the outcome doesn't affect the decision maker?

Harvard Business Review

Officials said the FBI issued the statement knowing that it would probably not affect the decision.

The Washington Post

But that consideration cannot affect the decision of the questions of constitutional law involved.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "affect the decisions", ensure you clearly identify what factors are causing the influence. Specificity strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "effect" when you mean "affect". "Affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is usually a noun meaning a result or consequence. Remember, use "affect" to indicate how something influences the decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect the decisions" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of influencing or having an impact on choices or judgments. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

37%

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "affect the decisions" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes how different factors can influence choices. According to Ludwig, it's widely used in various contexts including academia, news media and science. While "affect" is sometimes confused with "effect", it's crucial to remember that "affect" is the correct choice when indicating influence. Alternatives such as "influence the decisions" or "impact the decisions" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence the decisions

Replaces "affect" with "influence", suggesting a more subtle impact.

impact the decisions

Uses "impact" instead of "affect", implying a stronger effect on the decisions.

shape the decisions

Emphasizes the formative role in guiding decisions.

determine the decisions

Indicates a decisive role in establishing the decisions.

sway the decisions

Suggests persuading or influencing the decisions in a particular direction.

bear on the decisions

Implies relevance and influence over the decisions.

have a bearing on the decisions

Similar to "bear on", but uses a more extended phrase.

play a role in the decisions

Indicates involvement and influence in the decision-making process.

factor into the decisions

Highlights the consideration of certain elements during decision-making.

weigh on the decisions

Suggests a burdensome influence that affects the decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "affect the decisions" in a sentence?

You can use "affect the decisions" to show how something has an impact on a choice or series of choices. For example: "New regulations will "affect the decisions" made by the company's management team".

What can I say instead of "affect the decisions"?

You can use alternatives like "influence the decisions", "impact the decisions", or "shape the decisions" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "effect the decisions"?

While "effect" can be used as a verb, it generally means to bring about or accomplish something. In the context of choices, "affect" is more appropriate to describe influence, whereas "effect" would imply causing the decisions to happen.

What's the difference between "affecting the decisions" and "affect the decisions"?

"Affecting the decisions" is a present participle phrase that can act as an adjective, while "affect the decisions" is a verb phrase. For example, "factors affecting the decisions" versus "these factors affect the decisions".