deciding only on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deciding only on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying that a decision is made based solely on certain criteria or factors. Example: "The committee is deciding only on the proposals that meet the budget requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"So what are they going to say now?" While the Arab League was quick to suspend Libya last month and has even asked the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-flight zone to stop Colonel Qaddafi's attacks on his people, the African Union has taken a more cautious stance, deciding only on Friday to send negotiators who will meet with both sides.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

How well they succeed can be decided only on a case-by-case basis.

The New York Times - Books

"That would violate the rights of the litigants to have their cases decided only on the evidence" introduced, he wrote.

The New York Times

Constitutional cases, Posner asserted, "can be decided only on the basis of a political judgment, and a political judgment cannot be called right or wrong by reference to legal norms".

The New Yorker

The document that party delegates ostensibly debated for the past four days was never publicly released, and Cubans caught a glimpse of it and whatever had been decided only on the evening news when summaries of the proceedings were broadcast.

The New York Times

The day began with a surprising reversal by the county's canvassing board, which had decided only on Monday, on a 2-to-1 vote, not to proceed with the count.

The New York Times

The last of the semi-finalists was decided only on the penultimate day of the league phase, with a stunning innings from MS Dhoni the cornerstone of the Chennai Super Kings clinching a place in the knockout stages for the third year.

The Guardian - Sport

(Agence France-Presse) ASIA INDIA: PUTIN URGES TALKS ON KASHMIR -- Russia's president, Vladimir V. Putin, addressing a special session of Parliament, said India's long dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir can be decided only "on a bilateral basis" between the two nations.

The New York Times

Thus, it is not easy for the consumers to decide only on the basis of some published results.

Agricultural and Food Economics

In any other case, the emotion is assumed to be neutral, and the next system prompt is decided only on the basis of the user intention and the user profile (i.e. considering his preferences, previous interactions and expertise level).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Subsequent to the Logical Construction, Carnap distinguished between questions "internal" to a conceptual framework or system and "external" questions about which conceptual framework to adopt, which can be decided only on pragmatic or even aesthetic grounds, and this too might be considered a form of epistemological idealism.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deciding only on", ensure that the limited criteria for the decision are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The selection committee is "deciding only on" applications that meet all eligibility requirements".

Common error

Avoid using "deciding only on" when multiple factors should influence the decision. It can create the impression of neglecting crucial aspects. Instead, acknowledge the importance of various elements before highlighting the primary determinant. For example, consider rephrasing: "While several factors were taken into account, the board is primarily focusing on financial performance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deciding only on" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a limitation or restriction in the decision-making process. It specifies that a decision is being made based solely on particular criteria. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deciding only on" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to emphasize that a decision is based exclusively on particular criteria. As affirmed by Ludwig, its function is to narrow the scope of consideration, focusing attention on key elements. While it appears across diverse categories like news media and science, its register remains neutral. To enhance clarity, always state the limited criteria to guide decisions effectively. Alternative expressions include "choosing solely based on" or "determining exclusively by". By understanding its purpose and potential pitfalls, writers can use "deciding only on" effectively to convey precise intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deciding based solely on

Rephrases to clarify the decision-making process is exclusively determined by certain factors.

choosing solely based on

Focuses on the act of selecting rather than the deliberation process.

choosing exclusively from

Highlights selecting specifically from a limited set of options.

determining exclusively by

Emphasizes the act of ascertaining something using particular parameters.

resolving strictly upon

Highlights the finality of the decision and the specific basis for it.

determining only through

Emphasizes that specific channels or factors are the only way to ascertain something.

concluding solely from

Focuses on drawing a conclusion based on specific evidence or information.

resolving purely by means of

Highlights that the decision is reached using specific methods only.

opting merely through

Implies a simpler selection process based on fewer considerations.

judging exclusively on the basis of

Focuses on making a judgment founded entirely upon specific information or criteria.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "deciding only on" for variety?

Alternatives include "choosing solely based on", "determining exclusively by", or "resolving strictly upon", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to say a committee is "deciding only on" certain factors?

It means the committee is making its decision based solely on those specific factors, disregarding other considerations that might typically be relevant.

Is there a more formal way to express "deciding only on"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "determining exclusively by" or "resolving strictly upon" to convey a more formal tone, especially in professional or academic writing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "deciding only on"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a decision is being made based on a very limited and specific set of criteria, and that other factors are not being taken into consideration. This is useful when you want to limit the scope of the decision or focus on the most important elements.