it has been decided

USAGE SUMMARY

'It has been decided' is a perfectly acceptable sentence in written English.
It is typically used in a context where a decision or conclusion has already been reached. For example, "It has been decided that summer break will start on June 15th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It has been decided for Mr. Morsi.

The New York Times

It has been decided, and not by us.

The Economist

I don't think it has been decided, but it cannot be ruled out.

The Economist

It has been decided in four games 21 times, including the Giants' sweep this year.

The New York Times

It continued: "As such, it has been decided to nullify this exam.

Independent

"It has been decided that this issue will not be discussed.

Independent

The answer, it has been decided, lies in greater manufacturing might.

The Guardian - Business

It has been decided that the new candidate will be a woman.

The Guardian

"There is no decision, and I'll discuss it when it has been decided".

The New York Times

It has been decided that babies should be routinely offered the meningitis B vaccination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recently, it has been decided that the organisation will be undertaking a "full strategic review".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been decided" when you want to convey that a decision is final and authoritative. Ensure the context clearly indicates who made the decision, or imply it through the surrounding information.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been decided" without specifying who made the decision, as it can create ambiguity. Clarify the decision-maker to provide context and accountability. For example, instead of "It has been decided to close the office", write "The board has decided to close the office".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been decided" functions as a declarative expression indicating that a decision or resolution has been reached. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been decided" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to announce a decision or resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers, from neutral to somewhat formal. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who made the decision to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "a decision has been made" or "the matter is settled" to vary your language while maintaining a clear and authoritative tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decision has been made

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the action of making a decision.

it is resolved

This is a more formal and concise way of saying the matter is settled.

the matter is settled

This phrase indicates finality and closure on a particular issue.

a conclusion has been reached

This alternative emphasizes the process of arriving at a decision after deliberation.

it's been determined

This phrase suggests that a decision was made after a careful evaluation or investigation.

we've come to a decision

This indicates that a group of people have collectively reached a decision.

the outcome is

This phrase focuses on the result or consequence of a decision-making process.

the resolution is

Similar to 'it is resolved', but more noun-focused, highlighting the solution itself.

the verdict is in

This is often used in legal or formal contexts to announce a final judgment.

an agreement has been reached

This implies that parties have come to a consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been decided" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been decided" to indicate that a decision has been made, for example, "It has been decided that we will proceed with the project."

What are some alternatives to "it has been decided"?

Alternatives include "a decision has been made", "it is resolved", or "the matter is settled".

Is "it has been decided" formal or informal?

"It has been decided" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for various contexts, including business, news, and academic writing. However, more casual alternatives exist for informal settings.

What is the difference between "it has been decided" and "it was decided"?

"It has been decided" implies a decision made at some point in the past that continues to be relevant now, while "it was decided" simply refers to a decision made in the past, without necessarily implying ongoing relevance. The former uses the present perfect tense, while the latter is in the past simple.