have settled on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have settled on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a decision has been made or a choice has been finalized after consideration. Example: "After much discussion, we have settled on the new marketing strategy for the upcoming quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Democrats appear to have settled on one thing: The person to blame is Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia.

The New York Times

Speak to your insurance agent once you have settled on one vehicle.

WikiHow

The one they have settled on is a demanding one.

The New Yorker

He might have settled on Hyatt.

The Economist

Stringer seems to have settled on a starting lineup.

The New York Times - Sports

Many have settled on a "process-based" approach.

The New Yorker

"They have settled on the bulk of it".

The New York Times

But insidiously the mists of delusion have settled on him.

The Guardian - Books

He and his mother, who have experimented with different routes, have settled on a favorite.

The New York Times

Some buyers from downstate have settled on a property only to back out.

The New York Times

Floundering to find the right form, they have settled on MySpace meets television infotainment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience. While appropriate for most contexts, "have settled on" may sound less formal than "have determined" or "have decided upon".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in future tense constructions, such as "will have settled on". The perfect tense already implies a completed action, so using future tense is grammatically incorrect. Stick to present perfect, past perfect, or simple past tenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have settled on" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the completion of a decision-making process. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage, as seen in numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have settled on" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate that a final decision has been made after careful consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "have decided upon" and "have chosen" exist, "have settled on" emphasizes the process of deliberation that led to the final selection. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense usage and avoid redundancy. This guidance, combined with the numerous real-world examples provided by Ludwig, will assist in confidently employing "have settled on" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have decided upon

A more formal synonym that emphasizes the act of making a firm decision.

have agreed on

Implies a mutual decision reached by two or more parties.

have chosen

A simpler alternative highlighting the act of selection.

have picked out

Suggests a more careful or deliberate selection process.

have determined

Emphasizes the act of finding something out definitively and acting upon it.

have opted for

Indicates a preference for one option over others.

have resolved

Highlights the resolution of uncertainty or conflict leading to a decision.

have concluded

Suggests a decision reached after a period of consideration or investigation.

have fixed on

Indicates a firm and unwavering decision.

have embraced

Suggests enthusiastic adoption of a choice or idea.

FAQs

What does "have settled on" mean?

The phrase "have settled on" means to have made a final decision or choice after considering different options or possibilities. It implies a sense of agreement or resolution.

What can I say instead of "have settled on"?

You can use alternatives like "have decided upon", "have agreed on", or "have chosen" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have settled on a decision"?

While grammatically correct, saying "have settled on a decision" can be redundant. It's often more concise and effective to simply say "have settled on" followed by the object of the decision, such as "have settled on a plan".

How does the meaning of "have settled on" differ from "have decided to"?

"Have settled on" typically refers to choosing among several options, whereas "have decided to" indicates making a firm intention to do something. For example, you might "have settled on" a restaurant after considering several, but "have decided to" start a new hobby.