could be decided upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be decided upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decision that is pending or needs to be made regarding a particular issue or topic. Example: "The final details of the project could be decided upon in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The project was proposed late last year, but could be decided upon as early as May.

The New York Times

A stay could be decided upon within days but it could take a year for the full case to reach the court.

The Guardian

"The amounts came to about R27m (just over $3m) per city, but there were clauses that would allow for further costs that could be decided upon by Safa and the LOC so you don't know what the final bill would be to the city".

BBC

Only, if a specific purpose or set of purposes could be decided upon, one could argue that a set of guidelines could be prescriptive.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After considering these points, awake or general anesthesia intubation techniques could be decided depending upon the answers to the previous issues (Table 1).

Critical Care

"We find it troubling that this very close election could be decided by institutionalized patients who were preyed upon by overzealous Democratic operatives," said Steve Schmidt, a spokesman for the Zimmer campaign.

The New York Times

The members of the inquiry initially concluded that the station should be given the go-ahead, based on the grounds that a more suitable site could not be decided upon.

Wikipedia

An optimal dose could not always be decided upon appropriately by the simple comparison of efficacy rates in different doses.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

A substantial change in the types of cases the court is deciding upon could potentially affect the accuracy of their ratings.

The New York Times

The spacing must be decided upon by the system designer.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The choice of weights took into account the availability of data upon which weighting could reliably be based and five were decided upon as being most relevant to findings related to individuals, housing and neighbourhoods.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider replacing "could be decided upon" with more precise verbs like "determined", "resolved", or "established" to enhance clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "could be decided upon" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we'll decide" or "it will be decided" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be decided upon" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential for a decision to be made regarding something. As Ludwig confirms, the structure follows standard grammatical rules and is therefore considered correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be decided upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a potential future decision. Ludwig confirms its correctness, and its presence across various contexts—including news, science, and formal business—underscores its versatility. While leaning towards a more formal register, it's crucial to consider the context when choosing this phrase. Opting for more straightforward alternatives can enhance clarity in casual settings. Therefore, while "could be decided upon" is typically appropriate, understanding nuances enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be resolved

Replace "decided upon" for "resolved" maintaining the same modal verb.

might be determined

Changes the modal verb and uses a more formal synonym for 'decided'.

may be resolved

Uses 'may' for possibility and 'resolved' to suggest a solution or decision.

might be settled

Suggests a final agreement or decision is possible.

can be agreed upon

Focuses on the potential for mutual agreement.

can be determined

Indicates the possibility of ascertaining or establishing something.

can be concluded

Suggests the possibility of reaching a final conclusion.

may be adjudicated

Implies a formal or legal decision-making process.

might be chosen

Focuses on the selection or choice that could occur.

may be established

Indicates the potential for setting up or creating something definitively.

FAQs

How can I use "could be decided upon" in a sentence?

You can use "could be decided upon" to indicate that a decision about something is pending. For example: "The final budget allocation "could be decided upon" at the next board meeting."

What phrases are similar to "could be decided upon"?

Similar phrases include "might be determined", "may be resolved", or "can be agreed upon", all suggesting a future decision or resolution.

Is "could be decided upon" formal or informal?

"Could be decided upon" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "will be decided" or "we'll figure it out".

What's the difference between "could be decided upon" and "was decided upon"?

"Could be decided upon" indicates a potential future decision, while "was decided upon" indicates that a decision has already been made in the past.