it was decided to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was decided to' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a decision that has been made or agreed upon. For example: "At the meeting, it was decided to reduce the number of employees in the accounting department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was decided to try shock tactics.

The Guardian

It was decided to kneel and pray.

The New York Times

Finally it was decided to proceed without Mr. Barber.

The New York Times

In 1978 it was decided to excavate the whole ship.

Independent

It was decided to leave the region in Azerbaijan.

The New Yorker

It was decided to use a thermocouple in a protective tube.

Measurement

Ultimately it was decided to fix the current identity system.

The New York Times

It was decided to prepare technical guidance on installing a GAC filter in a safe manner.

Radioactivity in the Environment

It was decided to use AMS 14C dating of the mortar in the masonry.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Based on previous study by the author, it was decided to test two design modifications.

Renewable Energy

Recently, it was decided to improve the locks located on the canal.

Journal of Advanced Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was decided to" to clearly communicate that a decision has been reached and is now being acted upon. This construction is especially useful in formal reports or when outlining a sequence of events resulting from a specific determination.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions like "it was decided to" can make writing sound indirect and less engaging. Opt for active voice where appropriate. For example, instead of "It was decided to postpone the meeting", consider "The committee decided to postpone the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was decided to" functions as an introductory phrase that indicates a decision has been made and introduces the action that follows. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was decided to" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to indicate that a decision has been made, and to introduce the resulting action. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various fields. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct and engaging writing. This phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral tone suitable for formal reports and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decision was made to

Emphasizes the act of making a decision rather than the resulting action.

it was agreed that

Highlights the agreement among multiple parties leading to a decision.

the conclusion was reached to

Focuses on the reasoning process that led to the decision.

it was resolved to

Implies a formal or official decision-making process.

the determination was made to

Stresses the firm and resolute nature of the decision.

a consensus was reached to

Highlights the collective agreement after discussion.

it was established that

Focuses on the confirmation or validation of a decision.

the choice was made to

Emphasizes the selection of one option over others.

it was settled upon to

Suggests a final agreement after potential disagreement.

they opted to

Focuses on who made the decision and the resulting selected action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was decided to" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "the committee decided to", "we resolved to", or "the team opted to" to make your writing more direct.

What's a more formal alternative to "it was decided to"?

For a more formal tone, you might use phrases such as "a determination was made to", "it was resolved that", or "the conclusion was reached to".

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

"It was agreed to" emphasizes the consensus among multiple parties, while "it was decided to" simply states that a decision was made, regardless of whether it was a unanimous decision.

How to use "it was decided to" in a sentence?

You can use "it was decided to" to introduce an action that follows a decision. For example, "After careful consideration, it was decided to proceed with the project".