he decided that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he decided that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a decision made by the subject or main character in the sentence. Example: He decided that it was time to quit his job and pursue his dream of traveling the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He decided that he needed to retaliate.

The New Yorker

He decided that Raymond looked "like Halloween".

The New Yorker

(He decided that it was both).

The New Yorker

Last year he decided that enough was enough.

The New York Times - Arts

He decided that he had had enough.

The New York Times - Sports

He decided that he'd move his filmmaking online.

The New Yorker

He decided that he had gone too far.

The New Yorker

He decided that the house was on fire.

The New Yorker

Eventually, he decided that "It would never come.

The New Yorker

He decided that the Hunter should stay on course.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Whatever he decides, that's what happens".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he decided that", ensure that the context clearly establishes who "he" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. This is particularly important in longer or more complex sentences.

Common error

A common mistake is using "he decided that" without a clear antecedent for "he". To prevent confusion, ensure the subject is explicitly named or clearly implied in the preceding context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he decided that" functions as a clause introducer. It signifies the beginning of a dependent clause that expresses the content of a decision made by the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he decided that" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a decision or conclusion. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It serves to report a decision, and while its register is mostly neutral, its usage ensures clarity by clearly establishing the subject making the decision. When writing with "he decided that", ensure to prevent confusing or ambiguous pronouns to provide accuracy. Furthermore, related constructions such as "he concluded that", "he resolved that" can be used as alternatives. Ludwig's examples underscore its practical utility and versatility in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he concluded that

Highlights the finality of the decision after considering available information.

he came to the conclusion that

Emphasizes the process of reasoning leading to a decision.

he resolved that

Implies a firm and determined decision.

he determined that

Suggests a careful and deliberate decision-making process.

he made up his mind that

Indicates a resolution after a period of uncertainty or hesitation.

he chose to

Highlights the act of selecting a specific course of action.

he opted to

Focuses on the choice made between different possibilities.

he realized that

Indicates an understanding that leads to a decision

he thought that

Suggests a more casual consideration rather than a formal decision.

he figured that

Implies a decision based on informal reasoning or intuition.

FAQs

How can I use "he decided that" in a sentence?

Use "he decided that" to introduce a decision or conclusion someone reached. For example, "After careful consideration, he decided that he would accept the job offer."

What are some alternatives to "he decided that"?

You can use alternatives like "he concluded that", "he resolved that", or "he determined that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he decided to" instead of "he decided that"?

Both are correct, but they introduce different sentence structures. "He decided to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "He decided to leave"), while "he decided that" is followed by a clause (e.g., "He decided that he would leave").

What's the difference between "he decided that" and "he thought that"?

"He decided that" implies a firm decision or resolution, whereas "he thought that" suggests a belief or opinion that may not necessarily lead to action. "He decided that" it was time to act implies action; he thought that it was time to act implies contemplation, not necessarily action.