an imminent decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an imminent decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that is expected to happen very soon or is about to occur. Example: "The board is expected to make an imminent decision regarding the merger by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He has not yet said what he will do, though all signs point to an imminent decision.

The New York Times

More troublesome is the need for an imminent decision about the 55,000 programs required for the swearing-in ceremony.

The New York Times

The Jets do not have to make an imminent decision on Tim Tebow, who has yet to be released despite a mutual acknowledgment of an experiment gone awry.

The New York Times - Sports

It is in fact routine for the court to grant a stay, preserving the status quo, in light of an imminent decision.

The New York Times

Australia has sent to the Middle East about 600 Australian defence force (ADF) members in anticipation of an imminent decision to participate in action against Isis in Iraq.

The Guardian

Because he expects an imminent decision by the Park Service, Mr. Ott has collected signatures from more than 60 environmental organizations that oppose the path.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Jonathan Smith, E.ON's media relations manager, said: "We do not expect any imminent decision, by any stretch of the imagination".

The Guardian

Mr. Bush's imminent decision on a border agency fed an escalating debate on Capitol Hill today about Mr. Ridge's accountability to Congress.

The New York Times

But Mr. Naimi quickly ruled out an imminent policy decision by the oil cartel as Saudi Arabia plays host to the summit meeting of OPEC heads of states this weekend.

The New York Times

The Twitter spat began after the KKK allegedly threatened protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, as the area awaits an imminent court decision over the killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, by a white police officer.

The Guardian - Tech

At the time of writing erlotinib is not generally available for NHS patients pending an imminent final decision by NICE.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an imminent decision" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or anticipation regarding an upcoming choice or resolution. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "an imminent decision" in casual or informal settings. Alternatives like "a quick decision" or "a soon-to-be-made choice" might be more appropriate in less formal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an imminent decision" functions as a noun phrase where "imminent" modifies the noun "decision". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a decision that is about to occur or is expected very soon. The adjective "imminent" emphasizes the proximity of the decision in time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an imminent decision" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a decision expected to happen very soon. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for neutral and formal contexts, appearing most frequently in news and scientific publications. While its usage is generally straightforward, it's important to consider the formality of the setting and choose alternative phrasings for more casual conversations. Related options include "a forthcoming decision" or "a pending decision", which offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The phrase's primary function is to inform and create anticipation around an upcoming choice or resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a forthcoming decision

Replaces 'imminent' with 'forthcoming', indicating something that is about to occur.

a pending decision

Substitutes 'imminent' with 'pending', suggesting a decision that is waiting to be made.

an approaching decision

Uses 'approaching' instead of 'imminent', conveying the idea of a decision drawing near.

a near decision

Replaces 'imminent' with 'near', indicating that the decision is close in time.

an impending decision

Swaps 'imminent' with 'impending', suggesting that a decision is about to happen.

a close decision

Employs 'close' to mean 'imminent', indicating that the decision is near.

a looming decision

Replaces 'imminent' with 'looming', suggesting a decision that is threatening or causing anxiety as it approaches.

a fast-approaching decision

Uses 'fast-approaching' to emphasize the speed at which the decision is nearing.

a quickly nearing decision

Similar to fast-approaching, but uses 'quickly nearing' to highlight the quickening pace.

a soon-to-be-made decision

Describes the decision as 'soon-to-be-made', indicating that it will be made in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "an imminent decision" in a sentence?

You can use "an imminent decision" to describe a situation where a choice or resolution is expected very soon. For example, "The company is facing "an imminent decision" regarding its expansion plans".

What are some alternatives to "an imminent decision"?

Alternatives include "a forthcoming decision", "a pending decision", or "an approaching decision". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "an imminent decision" formal or informal?

"An imminent decision" is generally considered formal to neutral. It's appropriate for business, news reporting, and academic writing, but might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In those cases alternatives like "a soon to be made choice" may work better.

What's the difference between "an imminent decision" and "an immediate decision"?

"An imminent decision" suggests that the decision is about to happen, while "an immediate decision" means the decision needs to be made right away. Imminent refers to timing in the near future, while immediate means without any delay.