be decisive about

USAGE SUMMARY

"be decisive about" can be used in written English.
It means to make a strong decision or choice without hesitating. For example, "When it comes to making up my mind, I'm usually very decisive about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We believe it's important to be decisive about what information is required for a customer to make a decision, what is displayed on the page and continued testing that will ultimately increase conversions.

Huffington Post

I can show that to 50 people and I'm not sure anyone will be decisive about it'".

The Guardian - Sport

Refusing to be decisive about whether Hall was murdered, he states only that poisoning was among several possible causes of death.

The New York Times - Books

Rudolph W. Giuliani, who developed a national reputation for decisive and reassuring leadership after 9/11, now faces the odd challenge of having to reassure some supporters that he can be decisive about a very different issue: running for president.

The New York Times

"We can't be decisive about whether or not that was disruptive.

BBC

Beth Banks Cohn, who runs a leadership and executive coaching firm in Manalapan, N.J., says you must be decisive about your company's business plan and communicate that plan clearly to the staff.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Simon Godwin's production is decisive about this indecision.

The Guardian

Known throughout her career as "Mademoiselle Non", Guillem has always been decisive about her roles, both on and off stage.

The Guardian

Using the December low indicator as a level for identifying bearish or bullish trades can help you in being decisive about your trades.

Forbes

It was not the shredding of documents at Andersen's Houston office that proved to be decisive, Ms. McKay said, but evidence about the efforts of Nancy Temple, a lawyer with Andersen, to revise a single memorandum.

The New York Times

But it is unlikely that the purchase of the systems will be decisive in overcoming Russia's concerns about a multitiered missile defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be decisive about", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject or issue about which a decision needs to be made. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be decisive about" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In less formal situations, consider alternatives like "make up your mind about" or "decide on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be decisive about" functions as a directive, urging someone to make a clear and firm decision regarding a specific subject. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is suitable for use in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be decisive about" is a directive phrase used to emphasize the importance of making firm decisions. While grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's more suited to neutral to professional contexts. Alternative phrases like "be resolute regarding" or "take a firm stand on" can offer subtle variations in tone. While "be decisive about" appears in a variety of sources, it is most frequent in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide a specific context to avoid any vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be resolute regarding

This alternative employs "resolute", which suggests a firm determination. The preposition changes from "about" to "regarding".

be firm concerning

Using "firm" instead of "decisive" emphasizes the strength of the opinion, and "concerning" replaces "about".

take a firm stand on

This phrase implies a public declaration or defense of a specific viewpoint. Replaces "be decisive" with "take a stand".

be determined with respect to

Here, "determined" highlights resolve, and "with respect to" introduces a formal tone.

make a definite decision regarding

This alternative rephrases the idea of decisiveness as making a clear and final choice. It's more verbose.

have a clear opinion on

This phrase focuses on the clarity of the opinion held, rather than the act of deciding. Slightly less forceful.

be unwavering in your view of

Using "unwavering" stresses the steadfast nature of the opinion and introduces a shift in perspective.

have a settled conviction about

This suggests a deeply held belief that has been carefully considered. More formal and emphasizes conviction.

be conclusive in your judgment on

Focuses on judgment instead of decision, and it's more formal.

express a definitive stance on

Shifts focus to expressing a viewpoint, making it less about internal decision-making.

FAQs

How can I use "be decisive about" in a sentence?

You can use "be decisive about" to emphasize the need for making a strong, clear decision. For example, "It's important to be decisive about your career goals if you want to achieve them".

What's a less formal alternative to "be decisive about"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "make up your mind about", "decide on", or simply "be clear about", depending on the context.

How does "be decisive about" differ from "be certain about"?

"Be decisive about" implies making a firm decision, while "be certain about" suggests having a strong belief or conviction. They focus on different aspects of conviction versus action.

When is it appropriate to use "be decisive about" in writing?

It's suitable for professional and formal contexts where clear decision-making is emphasized, such as business plans, strategic documents, or formal reports. Avoid using it in really informal situations.