has decided against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has decided against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has made a choice not to pursue a particular option or course of action. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee has decided against implementing the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Newt Gingrich has decided against running for president.

The Economist

No, Graeme Smith has decided against it.

The Guardian - Sport

"The government has decided against the idea of a temporary nationalization," Mr. Ayrault said.

The New York Times

His office has the authority to arm school security officers but has decided against it.

The New York Times

Kurt Cobain's hometown has decided against renaming a bridge in honour of him.

The Guardian - Music

For one thing, she has decided against sending Sadie to Shuang Wen.

The New York Times

The couple could have registered at the nursing home's gift shop, but has decided against gifts.

The New York Times

One Emmy advertiser, the Pontiac-GMC division of the General Motors Corporation, has decided against waiting.

The New York Times

Joleon Lescott has decided against a move to Rangers following talks with the club.

The Guardian - Sport

In giving Canberra the earlier fixture, FFA has decided against holding two derbies within four days.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, it has decided against converting the 800,000-square-foot building into condos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has decided against" when you want to clearly state that a person or entity made a conscious choice not to proceed with a particular action or plan. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "has decided against" when the action was prevented by external factors. This phrase suggests a deliberate choice, not an imposed restriction. For instance, "The event was cancelled" is better than "They decided against holding the event" if the cancellation was due to unforeseen circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has decided against" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action of choosing not to do something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound construction used to express a deliberate decision to reject an option.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Books

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has decided against" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a conscious choice not to pursue a particular course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and frequently used in written English. Its neutral register and common occurrence in news media make it suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure that the action was a deliberate decision and not caused by external forces. Consider alternatives like "has opted out of" or "has chosen not to" depending on the desired tone. While "decided to not" is grammatically correct, "has decided against" is often more concise and preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has chosen not to

A more direct and simple way of expressing the decision not to do something.

has opted out of

Implies a choice to withdraw from something previously considered.

has elected not to

Suggests a formal or considered choice not to do something.

has declined to

A polite or formal way of refusing to do something.

has resolved against

Suggests a firm decision or determination not to do something.

has turned down

Suggests a refusal, often of an offer or proposal.

has rejected the idea of

Emphasizes the dismissal of a concept or plan.

has refrained from

Indicates a deliberate avoidance of a particular action.

has passed on

An informal expression for choosing not to accept an opportunity or option.

has vetoed

Implies a forceful rejection, often in a formal setting.

FAQs

How can I use "has decided against" in a sentence?

You can use "has decided against" to indicate a deliberate choice not to pursue a specific action or plan. For example, "The company "has decided against" the merger after careful consideration."

What are some alternatives to "has decided against"?

Alternatives include "has opted out of", "has chosen not to", or "has refrained from", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "decided to not" instead of "has decided against"?

While "decided to not" is grammatically correct, "has decided against" is often more concise and sounds more natural in many contexts. The choice depends on the specific tone and style you aim for.

What's the difference between "has decided against" and "has reconsidered"?

"Has decided against" implies a final decision not to proceed with something. "Has reconsidered", on the other hand, simply means that someone has thought about something again, possibly leading to a different decision but not necessarily a rejection. The first indicates an outcome, the second only a process.