in a decisive way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a decisive way" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, you might say "The CEO made a decision in a decisive way, quickly moving the company forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That changed last night in a decisive way.

The New York Times - Sports

It was well known that geometric considerations enter in a decisive way in many questions of harmonic analysis.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Chondroitin sulfate is a major constituent of articular cartilage, which is known to affect in a decisive way the mobility and flexibility of our joints.

Polymer

If the Navy really uses its buying power when buying power, and setting building efficiency standards, it alone could expand the green energy market in a decisive way.

The New York Times

Mr. Janiszewski, of Deutsche Bank, sees a major problem in state intervention because, he said, "the government has no guts to reverse the situation in a decisive way".

The New York Times

But there was no action plan — no dramatic step like having Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suspend most of her other activities to take direct charge of moving the process forward in a decisive way.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

However, it will be probably be much harder for the Republican candidate to unify the party in 2016 in such a decisive way.

Independent

However, as Romney found in 2012, it may be hard to unify the party in such a decisive way in 2016 unless a clear favourite emerges early.

Independent

The thought of ending up a lawyer, stuck in the mainstream world in such a decisive way and forsaking the partying and hanging out with other people involved in the brand-underground scene, had been much on Bobby's mind as he worked on new designs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Man as the image of God belongs, therefore, to the self-revelation of God in quite a decisive way.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Occasionally one senses frustration at the state department with the White House's reluctance to get involved in Syria in any decisive way - first because 2012 was an election year and now because there are no good, clear options.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a decisive way" to emphasize that an action was performed with clear intention and impactful results. This phrase adds a layer of emphasis beyond simply stating the action itself.

Common error

Avoid using "in a decisive way" when the decisive nature of the action is already clear from the verb or context. Redundancy weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a decisive way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It emphasizes the manner of the action, highlighting its firmness and impact. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a decisive way" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that describes the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's particularly common in News & Media and Science contexts, conveying a sense of determination and impact. While it can be replaced with more concise alternatives like "decisively", "in a decisive way" adds emphasis and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to avoid redundancy by only using the phrase when it adds meaningful emphasis to the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decisively

Direct adverbial form of 'decisive', offering a grammatically simpler alternative.

In a resolute manner

A more formal and verbose version of the original phrase, adding emphasis to the method of action.

Definitively

Adverb stressing the conclusiveness of an action or decision, a more concise alternative.

With determination

Phrase emphasizing the resolve behind an action, offering a slightly more descriptive alternative.

With resolve

Highlights the firmness of purpose, similar to "with determination" but slightly more formal.

Conclusively

Emphasizes the finality and lack of doubt in a result, similar to "definitively" but with focus on proof.

Determinedly

Adverb emphasizing the strong will and purpose behind an action, less common than "decisively".

Resolutely

Adverb indicating a firm and determined approach, differing in grammatical structure from the original phrase.

With certainty

Highlights the confidence and assuredness in an action, shifting focus to the actor's state of mind.

With a firm hand

Idiomatic expression suggesting strict and controlled management, differing in tone and imagery.

FAQs

How can I use "in a decisive way" in a sentence?

You can use "in a decisive way" to describe how an action was performed, emphasizing its impact and determination. For example, "The government acted "in a decisive way" to address the crisis".

What are some alternatives to "in a decisive way"?

Alternatives include "decisively", "resolutely", or "with determination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "decisively" or "in a decisive way"?

Both are correct, but "decisively" is more concise. "In a decisive way" can add emphasis or provide a slightly different stylistic effect.

When should I use "in a decisive way" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "in a decisive way" when you want to highlight not just the decision itself, but also the manner in which it was carried out, implying firmness and impact. Consider phrases like "with resolve" or "with certainty" if you need something more specific.