be decided by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be decided by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a decision will be made by a specific person or group. Example: "The final outcome of the project will be decided by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answer will be decided by politics.

Independent

The route must be decided by 2016.

Independent

Final assignments will be decided by computer.

The New York Times

"It will be decided by security people".

The New York Times

It will be decided by the people.

The Guardian

Four seats to be decided by votes from abroad will be decided by October 14.

The Guardian

They are yet to be decided by the District Court.

Cornell University

Don't leave banking regulation to be decided by the banks.

The New York Times

The dispute in Germany will be decided by a judge.

The Economist

"They should be decided by the American people".

The New York Times

The title would be decided by the number of undertricks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be decided by" when you want to emphasize the authority or entity responsible for the final decision.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where it is unclear who or what is doing the deciding. Always specify the agent responsible for the decision to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be decided by" functions as a passive construction indicating agency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It specifies that an action or outcome is determined by a particular entity, emphasizing who or what holds the decision-making power. It transforms an active voice construction (e.g., "The committee will decide") into a passive one, focusing on the result rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be decided by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates how a decision or outcome is determined. Ludwig AI confirms that "be decided by" is correct and appropriate for a wide range of formal and informal contexts, the most frequent being News & Media. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the decision-maker is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "be determined by" or ""depend on"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "be decided by" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be determined by

Focuses on the act of finding something out exactly, or establishing something precisely as the result of research or calculation.

be resolved by

Highlights the solving of a problem or dispute by a specific entity.

be adjudicated by

Specifically refers to a formal judgment made by a court or tribunal.

be governed by

Emphasizes the control or influence exerted by a set of rules or principles.

be influenced by

Indicates that the decision is swayed or affected by a particular factor or person.

hinge on

Implies that the outcome depends entirely on a single point or factor.

rest with

Indicates that the authority or responsibility to decide lies with a particular person or group.

be contingent on

Highlights the dependency of the decision on certain conditions or events.

be subject to

Suggests that the decision is under the authority or control of something or someone.

be dictated by

Shows that the decision is commanded or ordered by an external force or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "be decided by" in a sentence?

You can use "be decided by" to indicate who or what will make a decision. For example, "The winner of the competition will "be decided by" public vote" or "The issue could ultimately "be decided by" the courts".

What are some alternatives to "be decided by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be determined by", "be resolved by", or "hinge on", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing who makes a decision?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The committee will decide") is often more direct and clear. However, the passive voice with "be decided by" can be useful when you want to emphasize the entity making the decision or when the actor is unknown or less important.

What's the difference between "be decided by" and "depend on"?

"Be decided by" indicates a formal decision-making process by a specific entity. "Depend on" suggests that the outcome is contingent on certain factors or circumstances, rather than a specific decision-maker. For example, "The success of the project will "depend on" effective teamwork", whereas "The project's budget will "be decided by" the finance committee".