by a decisive vote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a decisive vote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a decision or outcome was reached with a clear majority or strong support in a voting context. Example: "The motion to approve the new policy passed by a decisive vote, reflecting the strong consensus among the members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On Friday, the House authorized construction of the pipeline by a decisive vote of 252 to 161.

The Washington Post

After a year of false promises, poison pills and delays, the House approved the Shays-Meehan bill to clean up the corrupt campaign fund-raising system by a decisive vote of 237 to 186.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although there was disappointment at what followed, a decisive vote by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in favour of admitting the Palestine as a member state in October 2011 helped to compensate.

BBC

Things have not gone so smoothly in Chengguan village, in Shandong Province to the north, where a maverick candidate, Sun Xuede, was elected director in late 1999 with 85percentt support -- a decisive vote for change by villagers who said that leaders were misusing funds from ailing factories.

The New York Times

The defeat came with a decisive vote that was cast by the commissioner Kevin J. Martin, who earlier in his career worked at Wiley, Rein but was not persuaded by his former boss's arguments on behalf of SBC.

The New York Times

A decisive vote is expected tomorrow.

The New York Times

The bill passed by a single vote in the Senate, giving anybody who voted for it a claim to have provided a decisive vote.

The New York Times

A fifth person can be appointed to cast a decisive vote when matters are deadlocked.

The New York Times - Sports

But democratic senator Bernie Sanders has hailed the result as a decisive vote against austerity.

The Guardian - Business

And if all else fails, groups can hire a lawyer before a decisive vote is taken.

The New York Times

ACCURACY A case can certainly be made that Mr. Specter was a decisive vote for the stimulus package.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a decisive vote" to emphasize the strength and clarity of a decision made through voting, particularly when the outcome is not close or contested.

Common error

Avoid using "by a decisive vote" when the voting margin is narrow or the decision is still subject to significant debate or challenges. This phrase implies a clear and uncontested outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a decisive vote" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating how a decision was made. It emphasizes the manner in which the vote occurred, highlighting its clarity and significance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by a decisive vote" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a voting outcome with a clear and significant margin. As Ludwig AI states, it's usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the manner of the decision. Commonly found in news and media, it indicates a strong and uncontested result. For alternatives, consider phrases like "with a clear majority" or "by a landslide" to convey similar meanings. When using "by a decisive vote", ensure the voting margin truly reflects a strong consensus to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a clear majority

Emphasizes the size and clarity of the winning margin.

with overwhelming support

Highlights the widespread agreement on the decision.

with a resounding victory

Emphasizes the decisiveness and impact of the win.

by a landslide

Suggests an overwhelming victory.

by a substantial vote

Highlights the large number of votes in favor.

by a significant margin

Focuses on the substantial difference in the number of votes.

by a considerable majority

Similar to significant margin, but with a slightly more formal tone.

with a firm decision

Focuses on the strength and resolution behind the decision itself.

by a large number of votes

Directly states the numerical advantage in the voting outcome.

with a notable advantage

Indicates a clear lead or superiority in the voting results.

FAQs

How can I use "by a decisive vote" in a sentence?

Use "by a decisive vote" to describe situations where a vote resulted in a clear and unambiguous outcome, indicating strong support or opposition. For example, "The proposal was approved "by a decisive vote", signaling broad agreement among the members".

What are some alternatives to "by a decisive vote"?

You can use alternatives such as "with a clear majority", "by a landslide", or "with overwhelming support" to convey a similar meaning. These phrases all emphasize the strength and clarity of the voting outcome.

Is it appropriate to use "by a decisive vote" in formal writing?

Yes, "by a decisive vote" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, and business documents, where it accurately describes the outcome of a vote with a significant margin.

What's the difference between "by a decisive vote" and "by a majority vote"?

"By a majority vote" simply indicates that more than half of the votes were in favor, while ""by a decisive vote"" suggests a much larger margin, implying strong support or widespread agreement. The former is a basic requirement for passing, while the latter highlights the strength of that passage.