canny decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "canny decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is shrewd, clever, or prudent, often in a context where careful consideration has been given. Example: "After weighing all the options, she made a canny decision to invest in the startup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This was a particularly canny decision, because gin doesn't need time to mature.

The New Yorker

Charcuterie aside, Boulud has made the canny decision to limit ambition for the sake of consistency.

The New Yorker

Rather, it was a canny decision by a wise woman with her eye on the big picture.

The Guardian

A canny decision was made by Goulding and her managers, though, to combine her piping vocal with busy computer production.

The Guardian - Music

It was a canny decision: the added songs redirected the attention and jolted the brain into listening to words, forcing us to understand in another way.

The New Yorker

2) Become Greater Manchester and it's surrounding area made a very canny decision by opting for the Greater Manchester name when metropolitan counties were first created.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Sonic Youth did contrive a history of canny decisions.

The New Yorker

Canny decisions have been made within the 1995 Oregon setting of this novel, yet retro, story-game, in which you play a young woman returning from travelling in Europe to find your family missing.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps the canniest decision in making this play was never to let the audience see Mr. Belovitch as a man until the last minute onstage.

The New York Times

But according to Mr. Canny, a decision on a United States entry date won't be made until the first quarter of next year.

The New York Times

But Dufour also advertised his expensive, handblocked papers as knowledge-enhancing, a canny marketing decision perfectly attuned to the education-hungry, world-travelling citizens of the Age of Enlightenment.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "canny decision" when you want to emphasize the shrewdness and careful planning behind a choice. This phrase implies that the decision-maker considered all available options and made a particularly clever or advantageous selection.

Common error

While "canny decision" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "smart choice" or "good idea" may be more suitable for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "canny decision" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where the adjective "canny" modifies the noun "decision". This indicates a specific type of decision characterized by shrewdness and cleverness. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "canny decision" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a shrewd and well-thought-out choice. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely used in news and media contexts to commend strategic decision-making. While alternatives like "astute choice" or "shrewd judgment" exist, "canny decision" effectively conveys the notion of a clever and advantageous determination. When writing, use this phrase to highlight the intelligence and foresight behind a particular decision, being mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astute choice

Replaces "canny" with "astute", focusing on the perceptive and insightful nature of the decision.

shrewd judgment

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment", highlighting the wisdom and practicality involved.

prudent determination

Emphasizes the careful and cautious aspect of the decision-making process.

wise selection

Focuses on the sagacity and good sense behind the chosen option.

clever move

Highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the decision.

strategic calculation

Emphasizes the planning and deliberate nature of the decision.

insightful assessment

Focuses on the deep understanding and evaluation that led to the decision.

judicious action

Highlights the careful and balanced nature of the resulting action from the decision.

tactical maneuver

Emphasizes the strategic and goal-oriented nature of the decision, often in a competitive context.

perceptive call

Highlights the acute understanding and awareness that informed the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "canny decision" in a sentence?

You can use "canny decision" to describe a choice that is clever and well-thought-out. For example: "Investing in renewable energy was a "canny decision" given the growing concerns about climate change."

What's a good alternative to "canny decision"?

Alternatives to "canny decision" include "astute choice", "shrewd judgment", or "wise selection". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "canny decision" formal or informal?

"Canny decision" is generally considered suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. However, in very informal settings, a simpler phrase like "smart move" might be preferable.

What does "canny" mean in "canny decision"?

In the phrase "canny decision", "canny" means shrewd, clever, and carefully planned. It implies that the decision-maker showed good judgment and foresight.