it is trying to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is trying to decide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something is in the process of making a decision. Example: "The committee is meeting to discuss the proposals, and it is trying to decide which project to fund."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is trying to decide whether to shift the cases to civilian criminal courts, including those of the five men currently charged before a military tribunal with offenses related to the Sept. 11 attacks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He said that: "Still popular but lacking its past magic, it's trying to decide what to become.

Wikipedia

That's the figure the Environmental Protection Agency came up with when it was trying to decide how far to go in removing arsenic from drinking water.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last week, watching Darcy out in the sun, it felt as though I was trying to decide just when most of the life — the good life, that is — inside her has been used up.

The New York Times

I'm going to Palermo, Sicily, this spring and I'm trying to decide if it would be worthwhile to visit Morgantina and the ruins near Piazza Armerina.

The New York Times - Travel

When I was coming up with the concept for Bernie's Yearning, I was trying to decide whether it would be vanilla chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip.

Los Angeles Times

A: I'm trying to decide if it would be easier to type "Bryan and his ex-wife, Lenore," or, "this time around it's everyone in the family except Kim".

Huffington Post

"There must be sizeable pollution there, and the EA and the government department it reports to is trying to decide who put it there and who is responsible for cleaning it up.

The Guardian

Now, the state legislature is trying to decide if it is willing to risk seeing that cash flow diminish, or even stop, in the name of public health by requiring the two tribal casinos to ban smoking by Oct. 1, 2011.

The New York Times

According to the Times, the Obama Administration is trying to decide if it should make Karzai a more central player in efforts to root out corruption in his own government, including giving him more oversight of graft investigators and notifying him before any arrests, according to senior American officials.

The New Yorker

So for example if a social housing provider is trying to decide if it would be more effective in terms of reducing CO2 emissions to install solar PV or ground source heat pump this tool will allow them to understand the cost and CO2 implications along with other criteria for each of these interventions.

Visualization in Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'deliberating' or 'evaluating' if a more concise and impactful statement is desired.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "it is trying to decide", consider "the committee will decide" for a more forceful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is trying to decide" functions as a verbal phrase expressing an ongoing attempt to make a decision. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a state of active deliberation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is trying to decide" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an ongoing deliberation process. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides a spectrum of examples across varied contexts, primarily within News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives such as "it is attempting to decide" or "it is deliberating" can enhance precision in specific writing scenarios. Effective use involves ensuring clarity in reference and avoiding overuse in favor of stronger, active voice constructions when appropriate. It's a useful phrase to show an action is not yet complete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is attempting to decide

Replaces "trying" with "attempting", suggesting a more formal or deliberate effort.

it is endeavoring to decide

Substitutes "trying" with "endeavoring", indicating a more earnest or determined effort.

it is in the process of deciding

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the decision-making process.

it is seeking to decide

Replaces "trying" with "seeking", highlighting the active pursuit of a decision.

it is working towards a decision

Focuses on the effort being put into reaching a decision, rather than the act of deciding itself.

it is weighing its options

Implies a careful consideration of different choices before deciding.

it is considering its options

Similar to "weighing its options", but suggests a less formal or thorough evaluation.

it is deliberating

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word, conveying a formal and thoughtful decision-making process.

it is figuring out

Uses a more informal phrasal verb to express the act of making a decision.

it is resolving

Conveys the sense of reaching a final decision, suggesting the end of the deliberation process.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it is trying to decide"?

You can use alternatives like "it is attempting to decide", "it is weighing its options", or "it is deliberating depending on the context.

Is "it is trying to decide" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is trying to decide" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "it is attempting to decide".

How do I use "it is trying to decide" in a sentence?

You can use "it is trying to decide" to describe a situation where something is in the process of making a choice or reaching a conclusion. For example, "The company is reviewing the data, and "it is trying to decide" which strategy to pursue."

What's the difference between "it is trying to decide" and "it has decided"?

"It is trying to decide" indicates an ongoing process of deliberation, while "it has decided" indicates that a decision has already been made. The former implies uncertainty, while the latter implies resolution.