difficult decision to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult decision to be" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It could be used in a sentence where you are discussing a challenging choice that needs to be made, but it requires additional information to be clear. Example: "It was a difficult decision to be made regarding the future of the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If there is a difficult decision to be taken, it is best to put it off.

Independent

At least one study in Brazil [ 32] has shown a very high resistance to amoxicillin (38%), thus making the inclusion of amoxicillin in retreatment regimens a difficult decision to be made.

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If there are difficult decisions to be made he'll make them.

The Economist

"These were difficult decisions, and there are more difficult decisions to be made in the near future," Mayor Thompson said in a statement last week.

The New York Times

Clearly, there are difficult decisions to be taken by government, but ministers' opportunistic rhetoric on this issue is disturbing.

The Guardian

"The choices can seem baffling – with difficult decisions to be made during uncertain times," says Richard Parkin, head of pensions at Fidelity International.

The Guardian - Money

In these testing times for public servants, with difficult decisions to be taken, it's perhaps more important than ever to foster the openness and transparency that make for a good working relationship.

The Guardian

Many Sids are at the forefront of the global NCDs epidemic, and tackling the ensuing health problems will ultimately require difficult decisions to be made regarding food imports, health and agricultural policy.

The Guardian

"There will be some difficult decisions to be taking but this is just game playing".

BBC

Bernard:  Sounds like there were some difficult decisions to be made.

TechCrunch

"There have been some difficult decisions to be made as we plan for next season and move towards becoming a full-time squad.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a challenging choice, prefer using established phrases like "difficult decision to make" or "tough decision to face" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult decision to be" without completing the thought. This phrase is grammatically incomplete and needs a verb to clarify the action, such as "difficult decision to be made".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult decision to be" functions as an incomplete adjectival phrase, needing a verb to fully express its meaning. Ludwig suggests it requires completion to be grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult decision to be" is grammatically incomplete and requires a verb to fully convey its intended meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase needs completion to be grammatically correct. While examples exist in News & Media and Scientific sources, the phrase is considered rare and its usage should be approached with caution. For clearer communication, consider established alternatives such as "difficult decision to make" or "challenging choice". These alternatives provide enhanced clarity and ensure grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult choice to make

Changes the structure to a more standard and grammatically accepted form.

tough decision to reach

Replaces 'difficult' with 'tough' and 'be' with 'reach', emphasizing the effort in arriving at a decision.

challenging decision to resolve

Substitutes 'difficult' with 'challenging' and 'be' with 'resolve', highlighting the problem-solving aspect.

complex decision to navigate

Replaces 'difficult' with 'complex' and 'be' with 'navigate', focusing on the intricacies of the decision-making process.

hard decision to come to

Uses 'hard' instead of 'difficult' and 'come to' in place of 'be', offering a more conversational tone.

serious decision to undertake

Emphasizes the gravity of the decision by using 'serious' and 'undertake' rather than 'be'.

weighty decision to consider

Highlights the importance of the decision using 'weighty' and 'consider' instead of 'be'.

critical decision to address

Focuses on the urgency of the decision by using 'critical' and 'address' instead of 'be'.

significant decision to handle

Indicates the importance of the decision using 'significant' and 'handle' instead of 'be'.

consequential decision to face

Underscores the potential impact of the decision with 'consequential' and 'face' replacing 'be'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult decision to be" for better clarity?

For improved clarity, consider using phrases such as "difficult decision to make", "tough choice to make", or "challenging decision", which are more grammatically complete.

Is "difficult decision to be" grammatically correct?

The phrase "difficult decision to be" is grammatically incomplete. It requires a verb to specify the action related to the decision, such as "difficult decision to be made".

What is a common mistake to avoid when using "difficult decision"?

A common mistake is leaving the phrase unfinished. Ensure you complete the phrase with an action, such as "difficult decision to make" or "difficult decision to face", to provide a clear and grammatically sound statement.

What are some alternatives to "difficult decision"?

Some alternatives include "challenging choice", "tough call", or "complex matter", depending on the context. These options provide varied ways to express the idea of a hard decision.