it was decided by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was decided by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that was made by a specific person or group in the past. Example: "It was decided by the committee that the event would be postponed until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the wake of these developments, it was decided by Britain's Medical Research Council to open its Aberdeen mycology centre earlier this year.

The Guardian

"It was decided by force.

The New York Times - Sports

It was decided by will.

The New York Times - Sports

It was decided by energy.

The New York Times - Sports

It was decided by both sides to postpone it".

The New York Times

That case was also argued in September; it was decided by early December.

The New York Times

It was decided by members of the security forces in Tivoli Gardens.

The New Yorker

In this case, however, it was decided by a miss, not a hit.

The New York Times - Arts

At the end of 1999, it was decided by the Korean Atomic Energy Safety Committee to adopt the PSR program and to apply it to Korean operating NPP.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

And it was decided by everyone together that it would be better to focus on friendship and not politics".

The New York Times

It was decided by two outstanding pieces of skill from Craig Goodwin, who is named Mark Viduka medallist.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose synonyms like "determined" or "resolved" if they better convey the nuance of the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "it was decided by" in your writing. Active voice often makes your sentences more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "it was decided by the committee", try "the committee decided".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was decided by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a decision was made by a specified agent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

43%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Opinion

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was decided by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for indicating who or what made a decision. As supported by Ludwig, it is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, opting for active voice can sometimes yield more impactful sentences. Remember to clearly specify who made the decision to maintain clarity. The phrase's high expert rating and common usage underscore its reliability in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the decision was made by

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the decision itself rather than the process.

it was determined by

Uses "determined" to suggest a more definitive or conclusive resolution.

the outcome was decided by

Focuses on the result or outcome being influenced by a particular factor or group.

it was resolved by

Emphasizes the act of resolving an issue or conflict through a decision.

the call was made by

Specifically highlights the act of making a judgment call.

the choice was made by

Highlights the aspect of choosing between options when reaching a decision.

it was agreed upon by

Indicates a decision reached through mutual consent or agreement.

the verdict was delivered by

Used primarily in legal or formal contexts to signify the pronouncement of a decision.

it was adjudicated by

Implies a formal or judicial decision-making process.

the matter was settled by

Suggests the conclusion of a dispute or uncertainty through a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "it was decided by" in a sentence?

Use "it was decided by" to indicate who made a specific decision. For example, "it was decided by the committee to postpone the event".

What can I say instead of "it was decided by"?

You can use alternatives like "the decision was made by", "it was determined by", or "the outcome was decided by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "it was decided by"?

While "it was decided by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "the committee decided") often makes your writing more direct and clearer.

What's the difference between "it was decided by" and "it was agreed upon by"?

"It was decided by" implies a decision made, possibly by a single entity or group, whereas "it was agreed upon by" suggests a decision reached through mutual consent or agreement between multiple parties.