drastic decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drastic decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decision that is made quickly and has a large impact. For example, "The board of directors made a drastic decision to close the business permanently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"What we have convinced people of is they don't have to make a drastic decision.

The New York Times

Local people would oppose any "drastic decision" to shut the A&E, she stressed.

The Guardian

"Let's look at what's going on with this child before we make this drastic decision".

The New York Times

De Blasio was also forced to defend the drastic decision of shutting the city's subways.

The Guardian

In order to create more calm in my life, I made a somewhat drastic decision.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So the government decided to preclude future problems with its drastic decision to end the live-chicken trade.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"At 12, 13, 14, making lasting drastic decisions based on faith isn't an appropriate time".

The New York Times

"And they are gradually coming to the realization that we're going to have to make some drastic decisions.

The New York Times

"But the people who suffer from depression know that sometimes you make drastic decisions to make yourself feel better.

The New York Times - Sports

People are still suffering, and Terry was not the type of person to accept a cruel and incoherent law or be forced into drastic decisions.

Independent

But some of the drastic decisions the Bank has been involved in since the onset of the crisis, on quantitative easing, for example, have strayed much closer to the traditional tax-and-spending decisions of governments.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "drastic decision" with verbs that reflect the act of making a decision, such as "make", "take", or "implement", to clearly convey the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "drastic decision" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "radical choice" or "extreme measure" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drastic decision" functions as a noun phrase where "drastic" modifies the noun "decision". It indicates a significant and impactful choice, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drastic decision" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant and impactful choice. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, emphasizing the gravity and potential consequences of the action. While versatile, it’s crucial to ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding overuse and considering synonyms like "radical choice" or "extreme measure" to maintain writing quality. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

radical choice

Replaces "decision" with "choice" and "drastic" with "radical", suggesting a fundamental departure from the norm.

extreme measure

Shifts the focus to the action taken rather than the decision itself, implying a severe or intense response.

significant determination

Replaces "drastic" with "significant" and "decision" with "determination", emphasizing the importance and resolve behind the choice.

major resolution

Replaces "decision" with "resolution" and "drastic" with "major", suggesting a firm decision to address a problem.

serious judgement

Highlights the gravity of the decision, using "serious" to convey the weightiness of the judgement.

far-reaching action

Focuses on the broad impact of the decision, suggesting effects that extend significantly into the future.

bold move

Emphasizes the courage and risk associated with the decision, portraying it as daring and potentially impactful.

sweeping change

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the decision, suggesting it leads to widespread alterations.

life-altering choice

Focuses on the personal impact of the decision, indicating a fundamental shift in one's life or circumstances.

pivotal turning point

Suggests the decision marks a critical juncture with lasting consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "drastic decision" in a sentence?

You can use "drastic decision" to describe a significant and impactful choice. For example, "The company made a "drastic decision" to restructure the entire department."

What's the difference between "drastic decision" and "serious decision"?

"Drastic decision" implies a more radical and potentially disruptive change compared to a "serious decision", which may simply be a weighty or important choice.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "drastic decision"?

Use "drastic decision" when the decision involves significant risks, major changes, or has far-reaching consequences. It should not be used for trivial or minor choices.

What are some alternatives to "drastic decision"?

Alternatives include "radical choice", "extreme measure", or "significant determination", depending on the nuance you want to convey.