an important decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice or judgment that has significant consequences or implications. Example: "Choosing a career path is an important decision that can shape your future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Successful people know the importance of sticking to their morals when making an important decision.

Huffington Post

It's an important decision".

The Guardian

It's an important decision for us".

The New York Times

Merck then made an important decision.

The New Yorker

"We have made an important decision for Europe".

The Guardian - Business

That is why triggering withdrawal is such an important decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cooper said: "It's an important decision for social networks.

The Guardian

Was that an important decision for you to make?

The Guardian - Business

"The eurozone has taken an important decision," the chancellor said.

The Guardian - Business

"No minister before has ever subjected such an important decision to such public and scientific review".

The Guardian

He added that the industry was in general frustratingly quiet about such an important decision.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the long-term impact of a decision, use "an important decision" to underscore its lasting consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "an important decision" for trivial matters; reserve it for situations where the outcome genuinely carries significant weight or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "important" modifies the noun "decision". It typically serves to identify a choice or judgment that carries significant weight or consequence. According to Ludwig, this usage is correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important decision" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to denote a choice or judgment with significant consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely warrants the emphasis on importance, and consider alternatives like "a critical decision" or "a significant decision" for nuanced expression. Remember, context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical decision

Replaces "important" with "critical", emphasizing the crucial nature of the decision.

a significant decision

Substitutes "important" with "significant", highlighting the considerable impact of the decision.

a vital decision

Substitutes "important" with "vital", expressing how essential the decision is.

a key decision

Emphasizes the role of the decision as a key aspect in the decision making process, replacing the term "important".

a crucial determination

Replaces "decision" with "determination" and "important" with "crucial", suggesting a decisive resolution.

a pivotal choice

Replaces "important decision" with "pivotal choice", indicating a turning point.

a strategic decision

Focuses on how the decision is part of a global strategy and planned.

a weighty judgment

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment" and "important" with "weighty", stressing the seriousness of the decision.

a consequential resolution

Replaces "decision" with "resolution" and "important" with "consequential", emphasizing the far-reaching effects.

a major consideration

Replaces the whole phrase to stress the importance of considering a given factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "an important decision" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "a critical decision" or "a significant decision", which emphasize the gravity of the choice.

What are some less formal ways to say "an important decision"?

In less formal contexts, you might use phrases like "a big deal" or "a major thing" to convey that a decision is important.

Is there a difference between "an important decision" and "a crucial decision"?

While both phrases indicate a significant choice, "a crucial decision" often implies that the outcome is essential and could have severe consequences if mishandled, whereas "an important decision" is slightly more general.

When should I use "an important decision" versus "a difficult decision"?

"An important decision" highlights the significance of the decision's impact, whereas "a difficult decision" emphasizes the complexity or emotional strain involved in making the choice, regardless of its ultimate impact.