decision on which

USAGE SUMMARY

"decision on which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are referring to a particular decision out of several possibilities. For example, "We had to make a tough decision on which route to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're the ones who make the ultimate decision on which products stay and which ones go by voting with their hard earned dollars.

Huffington Post

This year, the election commission will make the final decision on which polling places will open.

The New York Times

The decision on which way to proceed is up to Harry Reid, the majority leader.

The New York Times

Lay people were also kept out of the decision on which churches to close.

The New York Times - Books

"Once people made a decision on which way to turn, the movie carried on.

The Guardian

In the decision on which this issue turns, the Supreme Court was not unanimous.

The New York Times

A decision on which city wins will probably be made sometime in November of next year.

The New York Times

They have to make a decision on which road they want to go down".

The New York Times - Sports

A decision on which proposals to pursue was likely within two weeks, he said.

The New York Times

The final decision on which of two excellent candidates to hire came down to their Facebook pages.

The New York Times

He said a decision on which to select would be made by early 2008, after a public review.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decision on which", ensure clarity by providing context on the available options. For example, specify the choices that need to be evaluated before making a choice.

Common error

Be specific about what the decision pertains to. Instead of just saying "the decision on which", clarify "the decision on which strategy" or "the decision on which candidate" to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decision on which" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a choice or selection from a set of options. It often precedes a noun or noun phrase specifying the object of the decision, such as in, "The decision on which strategy to adopt." This is supported by Ludwig's examples that showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decision on which" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a selection or choice from several options. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in both news and scientific contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, you can adjust the formality by choosing alternative phrases like "determination as to which" for a more formal register or "choice regarding which" for casual conversation. To ensure clarity, always specify the context of the decision, and be mindful of the range of options involved. Keep in mind that this phrase is very common in both News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choice regarding which

Replaces "decision" with "choice" and uses "regarding" for a more formal tone.

selection concerning which

Substitutes "decision" with "selection" and "on" with "concerning", altering the phrase's formality.

determination as to which

Replaces "decision" with "determination" and uses "as to" for a more emphatic expression.

judgment regarding which

Uses "judgment" instead of "decision", implying a careful assessment.

conclusion about which

Emphasizes the finality of the choice, using "conclusion" instead of "decision".

verdict on what

Changes "decision" to "verdict", implying a formal or legal-like judgment.

resolution concerning what

Implies that something has been resolved or decided by switching "decision" to "resolution".

preference regarding what

Highlights a personal inclination or liking using "preference".

option as to what

Focuses on the available possibilities with "option".

course of action for what

Suggests a plan or method of action, using "course of action".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "decision on which" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "determination as to which" or "selection concerning which". These alternatives provide a more elevated and sophisticated expression.

What alternatives exist for "decision on which" in everyday conversation?

In everyday conversation, you could use phrases like "choice regarding which" or simply state "which option to choose" to maintain a natural and casual tone.

Is there a subtle difference between "decision on which" and "choice on which"?

While similar, "decision on which" often implies a more deliberate and thoughtful evaluation process, whereas "choice regarding which" can refer to a more immediate or less complex selection.

When should I use "decision on which" over simpler alternatives?

Use "decision on which" when you want to emphasize the analytical or deliberative aspect of making a selection among several options. Simpler alternatives may suffice for straightforward scenarios.