collectively decides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collectively decides" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group making a decision together as a unit. Example: "The committee collectively decides on the best course of action for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Either the lead pigeon recognizes that it has no clue and falls back into the flock, letting birds that know where they are going take over, or the flock collectively decides that the direction that it is taking just doesn't feel right, and it doesn't follow.

The New York Times - Science

extolled "the energy of the youth" and then asked, "When this powerful youth becomes activated and stimulated and collectively decides not to buy things, what will happen to the economy?" Later, Taboo reminded fans that there was still time to pick up merchandise.

The New York Times - Arts

The good news is that we seem to finally be nearing the point at which the Internet collectively decides that much stronger online security would probably be a good idea.

TechCrunch

Tom takes one step toward the table where the photographic evidence was to be passed out, and the entire audience collectively decides to make an attempt at standing on the exact same spot in the room at once.

TechCrunch

If the Shia collectively decides that Mr Maliki must go, for the sake of the Iraqi Shia and national unity, then they will probably draw a new candidate from the ranks of Mr Maliki's own Dawa Party, a component of the State of Law Alliance.

BBC

Intrinsic tumor cell radiosensitivity is governed by a plethora of factors, where a complex interplay of nuclear and cytoplasmic signaling cascades collectively decides the fate of an irradiated cell.

Cancer Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What we collectively decided is the best".

The New Yorker

"We collectively decided Siri was only chapter one of a much bigger, longer story," says Kittlaus.

The Guardian - Tech

There are even those who suggest humanity should collectively decide to turn away from some new technologies as inherently dangerous.

The New York Times - Science

After each group has collectively decided upon strategies to promote peace, they could share their proposals with the class.

The New York Times

She said that the family had discussed the risk with their son before collectively deciding what to do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject clearly represents a group capable of making a decision. For example, "the committee collectively decides" is more appropriate than "the building collectively decides".

Common error

Avoid using "collectively decides" when the subject doesn't have the capacity to make a conscious decision. It's generally not appropriate for inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collectively decides" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed by a group. This implies a group decision-making process, where the collective acts as a single unit. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collectively decides" is a grammatically sound way to indicate a decision made by a group as a single unit. Ludwig confirms this and demonstrates that while "collectively decides" is most frequently found in News & Media, it's also appropriate for scientific contexts. It emphasizes the unified nature of a decision-making process. To avoid misuse, ensure the subject can logically make decisions. Alternatives such as "decide by consensus" offer similar meanings while varying the wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decide by consensus

Stresses the consensus-based nature of the decision.

collectively agree upon

Adds emphasis to the agreement that follows the collective process.

jointly determine

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of finding something out or establishing something.

make a combined decision

Highlights decision as outcome of people working together

mutually agree

Emphasizes the agreement aspect of the decision-making process.

reach a joint conclusion

Focuses on the outcome, emphasizing the shared conclusion.

conjointly resolve

Highlights the collaborative solution or resolution of an issue.

collaboratively choose

Highlights the cooperative aspect of selecting something.

settle on together

Emphasizes the act of finalizing or agreeing on a choice as a group.

decide as one

Emphasizes the unity in making the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "collectively decides" in a sentence?

Use "collectively decides" to indicate that a decision is made by a group as a whole, like in the sentence: "The board "collectively decides" on the annual budget."

What's a good alternative to "collectively decides"?

Alternatives include "decide by consensus", "mutually agree", or "jointly determine", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the team collectively decides"?

Yes, it's correct. Using "the team" as the subject is appropriate because a team is a group of people capable of making a decision. A similar construction would work with committee, board or any other plural subjects.

How does "collectively decides" differ from "individually decides"?

"Collectively decides" means a group makes a decision together, while "individually decides" implies each person in the group makes their own separate decision. The phrase "collectively decides" emphasizes the unified nature of the decision-making process.