cautious decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"cautious decision" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision made in a careful way, after careful thought and consideration: For maximum safety, the pilot made a cautious decision to delay take-off until the aircraft had been inspected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He reiterated: shutting Wheeler down was a cautious decision.

The New York Times - Sports

"I expect that he will make a considerably cautious decision".

BBC

To some tourists, who looked forward to vacationing on the beaches of Cape Cod, this was not only a disappointment but considered an overly cautious decision since no fatal shark attacks have occurred in Massachusetts since 1936.

Huffington Post

Increased motivation and stress led to more cautious decision making and changes in framing effects on the RCT in all groups, although such effects were least pronounced in the early-onset CD group.

Biological Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For that reason, the relatively cautious decisions by the nation's medical leadership contained the pandemic with minimal disruption to the economy.

The New York Times

Those who analyzed LoVecchio's performance last season suggested that he sometimes preferred to make safe, short passes and cautious decisions rather than take chances with long passes.

The New York Times - Sports

The results show that the type of bridge marking influenced the level of caution associated with decisions regarding bridge navigation, with the new marking design producing the most cautious decisions for the two different bridge heights used, at all distances away from the bridge structure.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

The main objective of the research was to determine whether marking the bridge with a newly devised experimental marking would result in more cautious decisions from subjects regarding whether or not the experimental bridge structure could be passed under safely compared with the currently used UK bridge marking standard.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Go with your instincts and realize that even the most cautious decisions can still have unintended successes.

Huffington Post

DecBa was the test trial and DirBa was the "baseline comparison" trial; DirBa, unlike DecBa, required only compliance with a simple direction and no risky-vs.-cautious decision-making.

Plosone

That was a cautious, fearful decision based on a loss of confidence in the batting lineup.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decision-making process, use "cautious decision" to emphasize the care and potential risks considered.

Common error

Avoid using "cautious decision" merely as a filler phrase. Ensure that the context genuinely reflects a situation where caution and risk assessment are primary factors in the decision-making process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautious decision" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "cautious" modifies the noun "decision". This implies a specific type of decision-making process characterized by prudence and risk awareness. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cautious decision" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a decision made with careful consideration of potential risks. Ludwig highlights its applicability in various contexts, primarily News & Media and Science. While the phrase itself is straightforward, its effectiveness lies in conveying the deliberate and risk-aware nature of the decision-making process. It's important to ensure that the context genuinely warrants the emphasis on caution, avoiding overuse as a mere filler. Alternatives such as "prudent choice" or "careful judgment" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prudent choice

Replaces "decision" with "choice", emphasizing the careful selection process.

careful judgment

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment", highlighting the evaluative aspect.

deliberate action

Focuses on the thoughtfulness and intention behind the action taken.

circumspect resolution

Highlights the wariness and careful consideration in reaching the resolution.

guarded determination

Emphasizes the protective and careful nature of the determination made.

measured approach

Shifts focus to the manner of proceeding, emphasizing its careful and controlled nature.

conservative call

Indicates a decision that favors minimizing risk and adhering to established norms.

well-considered conclusion

Highlights the thorough thought process behind the conclusion.

thoughtful determination

Emphasizes the deep thinking and consideration involved in the determination.

safe course of action

Indicates a decision that prioritizes safety and avoids potential risks.

FAQs

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

You can use "cautious decision" to describe a choice made with careful consideration of potential risks, such as, "The company made a "cautious decision" to delay the product launch due to market uncertainties".

What are some alternatives to "cautious decision"?

Alternatives include "prudent choice", "careful judgment", or "deliberate action", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to make a cautious decision or a quick decision?

It depends on the context. A "cautious decision" is preferable when risks are high and thorough evaluation is possible, while a quick decision might be necessary in urgent, time-sensitive situations.

What distinguishes a "cautious decision" from a "conservative decision"?

A "cautious decision" emphasizes risk awareness and careful consideration, whereas a "conservative decision" typically favors established norms and avoiding deviation from the status quo.