decreed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreed that" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a decree or official order has been issued by someone in authority. Example: The king decreed that all citizens must pay a new tax to fund the construction of a new palace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He took one look and decreed that surgery was necessary.

Independent

But Allah decreed that punishment befall the warring crusaders from where they had not expected.

The New Yorker

A law in 13th-century France decreed that only royalty could wear diamonds.

Forbes

Gia Long decreed that Duyệt take command of five royal regiments.

Wikipedia

Parliament decreed that Pakistan should stay neutral.

The Economist

What had Beijing decreed that protesters are not happy about?

Independent

Yet fate has decreed that they must share their state.

The Economist

Mr. Kristal decreed that bands had to perform original material.

The New York Times - Arts

By 1998, most observers decreed that VRML was dead.

The New York Times - Tech

Then, half an hour later, Governor Christie decreed that respect trumps love.

The New York Times

(It has since been decreed that they will pay a dollar).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decreed that" to emphasize the formal and authoritative nature of a decision or order. It adds weight and significance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "decreed that" in casual or informal situations. Its formal tone can sound out of place and overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "said" or "decided" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

Decreed that functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause, indicating a formal and authoritative order or decision. It signifies that someone in a position of power has officially mandated something. Ludwig shows this phrase is used in formal contexts to express authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

29%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreed that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the issuance of a formal order or decision by an authority. As Ludwig AI points out, it's commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and formal documents, emphasizing the official nature of the pronouncement. While "decreed that" is very common, remember to avoid using it in informal settings, where it might sound overly dramatic. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives in casual conversations. Remember that while "decreed that" and "declared that" both express formal announcements, only "decreed that" implies authority and a binding order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered that

Replaces "decreed" with "ordered", implying a command from a position of authority.

mandated that

Substitutes "decreed" with "mandated", suggesting a formal requirement or legal obligation.

stipulated that

Replaces "decreed" with "stipulated", indicating a specific condition or requirement as part of an agreement.

ruled that

Uses "ruled" instead of "decreed", typically in a legal or judicial context.

proclaimed that

Substitutes "decreed" with "proclaimed", suggesting a public and formal announcement.

declared that

Replaces "decreed" with "declared", indicating a formal statement or announcement.

ordained that

Uses "ordained" instead of "decreed", often implying a divine or higher authority.

legislated that

Substitutes "decreed" with "legislated", suggesting a law or statute was enacted.

determined that

Replaces "decreed" with "determined", implying a decision or conclusion was reached.

laid down that

Uses "laid down" instead of "decreed", suggesting rules or principles were established.

FAQs

How can I use "decreed that" in a sentence?

Use "decreed that" when you want to emphasize that someone in authority has issued a formal order or decision. For example, "The president "decreed that" all flags should be flown at half-mast".

What are some alternatives to "decreed that"?

You can use alternatives like "ordered that", "mandated that", or "ruled that" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "decreed that" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "decreed that" is generally more suitable for formal writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "said" or "decided" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "decreed that" and "declared that"?

"Decreed that" implies authority and an official order, whereas "declared that" suggests a formal statement or announcement without necessarily implying authority.