decisive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decisive to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means something or someone has a big impact or influence on a decision or outcome. Example: The CEO's leadership style was decisive to the company's success.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accordingly, this work revisits how crucial design decisions revealed decisive to the success of the mission and how they impacted the obtained experiment performances.

Acta Astronautica

This is what is decisive to me today".

The New Yorker

What evidence seemed decisive to the ancient Greeks?

The New York Times

They have nothing decisive to them, in any direction, not even towards floppiness.

Independent

And that prospect triggered a reaction that was probably decisive to Gaddafi's ultimate undoing.

The Guardian

What looks like a stray mark to one person may appear decisive to another.

The New York Times

But its distancing from politics was decisive to the republic's success.

The New York Times

The article was decisive to Pollock's career, and much is made of it in the film.

The New York Times

Who turns up for the referendum will be decisive to the outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

His efforts in getting South Carolina's electors to vote for Jefferson in 1800 were decisive to the election.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And this October and December councils and next year will be decisive to have this rescue plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decisive to" when you want to emphasize that something is crucial or has a significant impact on the outcome.

Common error

Avoid pairing "decisive to" with weak verbs like "seem" or "appear". Instead, use stronger verbs such as "prove", "be", or "become" to highlight the definitive impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decisive to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is crucial, critical, or determinative in relation to a specific outcome or result. It signifies a significant impact or influence, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decisive to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific, news, and formal contexts. It signifies that something is critical or crucial to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. To enhance clarity, avoid pairing it with weak verbs. Alternatives include "critical for" or "essential for", depending on the desired nuance. With a solid expert rating of 4.5, this guide should equip you with a strong understanding of how to use "decisive to" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical for

Emphasizes necessity rather than influence.

essential for

Highlights indispensability.

instrumental in

Stresses the role of something as a tool or means.

pivotal for

Indicates a turning point or central importance.

key to

Highlights the significance as an enabler.

vital for

Emphasizes the importance for life or success.

crucial for

Indicates a critical or essential nature.

significant for

Highlights the noteworthiness of the impact.

determinative of

Focuses on the act of determining an outcome.

consequential for

Emphasizes the importance of the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "decisive to" in a sentence?

"Decisive to" is used to indicate that something is crucial or has a significant impact on the outcome. For example, "The support of key allies was decisive to the success of the mission".

What are some alternatives to using "decisive to"?

You can use alternatives such as "critical for", "essential for", or "instrumental in", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "decisive for" instead of "decisive to"?

While "decisive for" might sound similar, "decisive to" is generally preferred when indicating something is influential or determinative. "Decisive for" is less common and may not convey the intended meaning as effectively.

What is the difference between "decisive to" and "important to"?

"Decisive to" emphasizes a determining or crucial role, suggesting that something directly influences the outcome. "Important to" simply indicates significance or value, without necessarily implying a direct influence on the result.