an individual decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an individual decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a choice made by a single person, emphasizing personal judgment or preference. Example: "Each team member is encouraged to make an individual decision regarding their project contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That is an individual decision".

The New York Times

"It's an individual decision," he says.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Dr. Calonge said, it's an individual decision.

The New York Times - Health

But a new study finds that stopping is seldom an individual decision.

The New York Times - Science

"This is an individual decision for each of you," she said.

The New Yorker

It's not an individual decision, and I feel that's exciting to explore — or something.

The New Yorker

"This is very much an individual decision for lenders," says spokesperson Sue Anderson.

The Guardian - Money

"Every individual client has an individual decision to make," Mr. Stolar said.

The New York Times

It is such an individual decision that even within a family, there can be differences in opinion.

The New York Times

On your mark, get set, go.' " The policy of an open or closed campus is an individual decision by local school districts.

The New York Times

It gets down to an individual decision and nobody knows why they make that decision but they do it because it feels right".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an individual decision" when emphasizing the autonomy and personal responsibility of the decision-maker. For example, "Choosing a career path is often an individual decision."

Common error

Avoid using "an individual decision" when the choice is clearly influenced by external factors or is part of a collective agreement. Instead, acknowledge the shared responsibility or external pressures involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an individual decision" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence, emphasizing a choice made by a single person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an individual decision" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to underscore a choice made by a single person, emphasizing autonomy and personal responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when autonomy is key and avoid it when choices are heavily influenced by external factors. Alternatives include "a personal choice" or "a private judgment" to subtly shift the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a personal choice

Emphasizes the personal aspect of the decision.

a private judgment

Highlights the personal assessment involved in making a choice.

a self-determined action

Focuses on the autonomy of the decision-maker.

an independent determination

Stresses the lack of external influence on the decision.

a solitary resolution

Implies the decision was made alone, without consultation.

a one-person verdict

Uses legal terminology to emphasize the singularity of the decision-maker.

a subjective assessment

Highlights the personal perspective influencing the decision.

a singular conclusion

Emphasizes the unique nature of the decision for the individual.

a personalized call

Focuses on tailoring the decision to the individual's specific needs.

a lone determination

Stresses the fact that the decision was made alone.

FAQs

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

You can use "an individual decision" to emphasize personal autonomy. For example: "Whether to pursue further education is often "an individual decision" based on one's personal goals."

What are some alternatives to "an individual decision"?

Alternatives include "a personal choice", "a private judgment", or "a self-determined action", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "an individual decision"?

It's appropriate when the choice is primarily based on personal preferences, values, or circumstances, and isn't dictated by external rules or group consensus. If it is not, perhaps consider the alternatives "collective decision" or "group decision".

Is there a difference between "an individual decision" and "a personal decision"?

While similar, "an individual decision" emphasizes the singularity of the decision-maker, whereas "a personal decision" highlights the impact on or relevance to the individual's life. They are often interchangeable but have slightly different focuses.