it was decided upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was decided upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that has been made after consideration or discussion. Example: "After much deliberation, it was decided upon that the project would move forward as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the way it was decided upon and communicated to them created alarm and mistrust.

The Economist

It's only fair and apt that that should be the measure of their success.' So it was decided upon.

The Guardian - Sport

Q. Talk a little about the recent history of wolves in the northern Rockies. A. It was decided upon to reintroduce wolves in an "experimental, nonessential" classification into the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

The New York Times

Don't be at all surprised if the figures they were proudly blandishing this morning don't go through a similar transformation when no-one is looking, especially since it was decided upon before a single council in Wales had been declared.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, David did not want this and it was decided upon that casting sessions would be held.

Wikipedia

I became convinced that racism was either learned at a young age, or else it was decided upon later in life only after a negative experience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There is only one hymn sheet in the military, and it is decided upon on high.

Vice

It is decided upon on the basis of the extent and the duration of the sepsis, preoperatively, as well as the clinical course postoperatively.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

This similarity influenced the eventual name of the river, and on 22 August 1847, a conference was held and the name Western Jordan River was decided upon, although it was later shortened to the Jordan River.

Wikipedia

Our lower dose of irinotecan was decided upon because it was combined with paclitaxel, a more myelotoxic agent than cisplatin, which was the agent used in the other study.

British Journal of Cancer

Wondering where to go after the completion of Final Fantasy XII, it was decided to build upon the idea of multiple games connected by a single theme.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was decided upon", ensure that the context clearly indicates who made the decision, even if it's implied. This can enhance clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was decided upon" excessively, as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Opt for active voice constructions when appropriate to strengthen your message and specify the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was decided upon" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a decision has been made, but not explicitly stating who made the decision. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to describe the result of a deliberation or agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was decided upon" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a decision has been made. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources. While acceptable, it tends to be more formal and is often used in news, science, and general writing. For more direct and active language, consider alternatives like "we decided" or "they chose". Be mindful of overusing passive voice to maintain writing strength and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was agreed that

Emphasizes consensus or mutual agreement in the decision-making process.

an agreement was reached

Similar to "it was agreed that" but emphasizes the formalization of the agreement.

a decision was made

A more direct and active way of stating that a decision occurred.

it was determined

Suggests a more formal or investigative process led to the conclusion.

the matter was decided

Indicates that a specific issue has been definitively resolved.

it was resolved

Implies a problem or issue was addressed and a solution was found.

the conclusion was reached

Highlights the outcome of a deliberation or analysis.

a consensus was reached

Focuses on the agreement among multiple parties.

the choice was made

Highlights the act of selecting one option from several.

it was settled

Implies that a dispute or uncertainty was resolved.

FAQs

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

You can use active voice alternatives such as "the team decided", "we determined", or "the committee resolved" depending on the context and who made the decision.

Is "it was decided upon" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "it was decided upon" can sound somewhat formal. In casual conversation, phrases like "we decided" or "they chose" might be more appropriate.

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

The addition of "upon" doesn't significantly change the meaning, but it can add a slightly more emphatic or formal tone. Both are generally interchangeable, though "it was decided" is more common.

When is it best to use "it was decided upon" in writing?

Use "it was decided upon" when you want to emphasize the outcome of a deliberation process and the decision-maker is either unknown or unimportant to the context. In more direct or active scenarios, prefer "we decided" or similar constructions.