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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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decided well

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided well" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to express that a decision was made wisely or appropriately, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After much deliberation, I believe we decided well on the new marketing strategy."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"And so I decided, well, I'm going to try this".

News & Media

The New York Times

"And I decided, 'Well, I'm going to go make some money,' " he recalled in an interview.

News & Media

The New York Times

But I've decided, "Well, you know, let's get on with it and smile a bit more".

News & Media

The New York Times

Girardi had decided well before the game to give third baseman Alex Rodriguez the night off.

"The dates for maintenance were decided well in advance by Network Rail," she said.

News & Media

Independent

Dubai's future will actually be decided well way from the shimmering skyscrapers.

News & Media

The Guardian

"We decided, well, he was never going to belong to the Maidstone Club, anyway".

News & Media

The New York Times

Then after 10 years the scientists decided well, maybe it could.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

So José decided -- right there in the field, he decided -- well, I could be an astronaut, too.

News & Media

The New York Times

"The IRA might have decided 'well, we're not getting a priest ever again for any person' and they would have had to face into eternity alone".

News & Media

BBC

And then from there, we decided, 'well, we should have some lady bike nights in Chicago, and garage nights, and things like that,' and actually meet up and hang out".

News & Media

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider more common and natural-sounding alternatives like "made a good decision" or "chose wisely" for clarity and better communication.

Common error

Avoid using "decided well" frequently in your writing. Its uncommon nature can make your text sound awkward or unnatural. Opt for more conventional phrases to maintain a smooth and professional tone.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided well" functions as a verb phrase where "decided" is the main verb and "well" is an adverb modifying it. It indicates the manner in which a decision was made, implying a favorable or successful outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "decided well" is an uncommon expression that might sound awkward to some native English speakers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical acceptability but notes its infrequent use. More common alternatives such as "made a good decision" or "chose wisely" are often preferred. Its usage is spread across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Therefore, while using "decided well" isn't incorrect, opting for more conventional phrases is generally recommended for clearer and more natural communication.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "decided well"?

You can use alternatives like "made a good decision", "chose wisely", or "resolved effectively", depending on the context.

Is "decided well" grammatically correct?

Yes, "decided well" is grammatically correct, but it's not a commonly used phrase. It might sound slightly unusual to native English speakers.

When is it appropriate to use "decided well"?

"Decided well" can be used when you want to emphasize that a decision was not just made, but made with wisdom or to a good effect. However, consider if alternatives like "made a wise choice" would fit better.

What's the difference between "decided well" and "made a good decision"?

While both convey a similar meaning, "made a good decision" is more commonly used and generally sounds more natural than "decided well". The latter can come across as slightly formal or archaic.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: