be decided over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be decided over" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers; a more standard expression would be preferable. Example: "The matter will be decided over the next few weeks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"His successor will be decided over the coming days".

The New York Times

This one will be decided over five sets.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a system whereby matches interrupted by rain can be decided over a shortened distance.

The Guardian - Sport

Plans for Camelot will presumably be decided over the next few days, though the options are limited.

The Guardian - Sport

Ciao! 1.18am GMT Wrap Up After all that there's still plenty to be decided over the next few weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

New governance rules for the euro will likely be decided over the next few months, with decisive consequences for Italy's unhealthy public finances and anemic growth rate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"That's something I'll be deciding over the next couple days".

The New York Times

Mr Justice Hickinbottom in the High Court will be deciding over the next three days whether FoE Cymru has a case for a full judicial review.

BBC

We have retained a leading sports QC and will be deciding over the weekend what the best way is to proceed for Aaron from a legal and sports perspective.

BBC

Several of the United States games have been decided over a span of a few minutes.

The New York Times

"In The Archers, such things are decided over the washing up".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider replacing "be decided over" with alternatives like "be determined by" or "be resolved through" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "be decided over" in formal writing. This phrase can sound awkward. Opt for clearer and more direct alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be decided over" functions as a passive construction with a preposition, indicating the process or timeframe during which a decision will be made. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not the most grammatically correct and recommends alternative constructions for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Sport

30%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be decided over" appears in various contexts, including News & Media, Ludwig AI suggests that it's grammatically awkward and lacks clarity. More precise alternatives such as "be determined by" or "be resolved through" are recommended for clearer communication. Its usage is relatively common but considering Ludwig's feedback, aiming for enhanced precision will improve your writing style, specifically in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be determined by

Replaces the preposition "over" with "by", focusing on the agent or factor influencing the decision.

be resolved through

Substitutes "decided" with "resolved" and "over" with "through", emphasizing the process of reaching a decision.

be settled via

Replaces "decided" with "settled" and "over" with "via", highlighting the means by which a decision is achieved.

hinge on

Emphasizes the crucial factor upon which the decision depends.

depend on

Focuses on the reliance of the decision on specific conditions or elements.

be contingent upon

Highlights the conditional nature of the decision based on certain occurrences.

be a function of

Frames the decision as directly resulting from a particular variable or set of variables.

be governed by

Focuses on rules, regulations or principles that dictate how the decision is made.

rest upon

Emphasizes the foundation or basis on which the decision is built.

be subject to

Indicates the decision is conditional and may change according to external influences or conditions.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "be decided over"?

Consider using phrases like "be determined by", "be resolved through", or "hinge on" for clearer communication.

Is "be decided over" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "be decided over" is not the most grammatically sound choice. It's better to use more precise and standard alternatives.

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

While not recommended, if you choose to use it, ensure the context is clear. For instance, "The matter will "be decided over" the next few weeks." However, consider better options like "be determined".

What is the difference between "be decided over" and "be decided by"?

"Be decided by" focuses on the agent making the decision, while "be decided over" implies a timeframe or process, although it's less common and less clear. "The winner will "be decided by" the judges" is clearer than "be decided over".