decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a choice or judgment made after considering all possible options or to a conclusion reached after investigation and deliberation. For example, "After careful consideration, the committee came to a decision to approve the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

"EE's decision on Friday is surprising in the context of a contract that has more than a year to run and leaves the board with no alternative but to seek the administrator's protection in the interests of all its stakeholders".

The Guardian - Business

Police are still investigating threats to kill Hall, reportedly linked to his decision to axe Clarkson.

The Guardian

"It is regrettable when homes need to be demolished, but Annington's decision to redevelop the estate will see an increase in the number of homes by more than 100%, from 142 to 288, and the inclusion of 20% affordable homes will see a minimum of 59 created where there were none before.

The Guardian

"The president will make his decision, but I hope that happens".

The New York Times

Emergency services said on Friday the decision had been made because of the danger posed by flying debris in the predicted strong winds.

The Guardian

Without her taking a side, it cast just the right element of doubt over the nature of the decision".

The Guardian

If the court were to rule the law unconstitutional when it issues its decision in June, it could prove a significant blow to Obama's re-election campaign by striking down his most important piece of legislation and bolstering conservative opposition.

The Guardian

As she left, the SNP leader said the decision was up to the people of Scotland, then joked with photographers as they begged for one more shot of her alone.

The Guardian

A Network Rail spokeswoman said Carne had made a personal decision.

The Guardian

At the time, Clinton denied any wrongdoing and said the decision was a matter of "convenience".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing important outcomes, use "decision" to highlight the deliberate nature of the choice. For instance, a "careful decision" conveys more thoughtfulness than a simple "choice".

Common error

Avoid using "decision" when "suggestion" is more appropriate. A "suggestion" is a proposal, while a "decision" is a final choice. Ensure your word accurately reflects the stage of the process you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The word "decision" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of deciding or a specific choice made. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, mirroring the numerous real-world examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "decision" is a commonly used noun that denotes a choice or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It appears frequently in news, business, and other contexts, signaling its versatility. Alternatives such as "resolution", "determination", and "judgment" can be used to add nuance. A key writing tip is to ensure that "decision" is used to indicate a definitive choice, rather than a mere suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolution

Emphasizes the firmness and determination in reaching an outcome.

determination

Highlights the act of firmly deciding something.

judgement

Focuses on the cognitive process of evaluating options.

conclusion

Stresses the end result after a period of deliberation.

verdict

Implies a formal or official judgment, often in legal contexts.

choice

Highlights the act of selecting one option from several possibilities.

selection

Similar to choice but can also refer to the process of choosing.

finding

Suggests an outcome based on investigation or research.

ruling

Indicates an official judgment or decree, typically by an authority.

outcome

Focuses on the result or consequence of a process or situation.

FAQs

How to use "decision" in a sentence?

You can use "decision" to refer to a choice or judgment, as in "The committee's decision was unanimous". It can also refer to the act of deciding, such as "The decision-making process took several weeks".

What can I say instead of "decision"?

You can use alternatives like "resolution", "determination", or "judgement" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a decision was made" or "a decision was taken"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and commonly used. "A decision was made" is slightly more common, but "a decision was taken" is also acceptable, especially in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "decision" and "conclusion"?

"Decision" refers to a choice among options, while "conclusion" refers to a judgment or opinion reached after deliberation or investigation. A decision leads to action, while a conclusion leads to understanding or belief.