made a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"made a decision" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a past action of choosing or selecting an option or course of action. Example: After much deliberation, she finally made a decision about which college to attend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He made a decision.

The New York Times

Plyler made a decision.

The New Yorker

Rippon made a decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

He'd made a decision.

The New York Times

"We made a decision.

The New York Times - Sports

They made a decision".

The New York Times - Magazine

Then I made a decision.

The New York Times

He'd already made a decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Godiya made a decision then.

The Guardian

"Qamish instantly made a decision," McFadden recalls.

The New Yorker

"I have not made a decision yet.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made a decision", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the decision and what the decision was about for clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "a decision was made" without specifying who made it or what the decision entailed. Always provide context to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a decision" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the performance of the action of deciding. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made a decision" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the act of choosing a course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "came to a conclusion" or "opted for" can provide stylistic variation. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who made the decision and its subject. Understanding these nuances enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose to

Simply highlights the act of selecting a particular option.

decided upon

A more formal way of saying "decided", emphasizing careful consideration.

came to a conclusion

Suggests a logical deduction or inference that results in a decision.

opted for

Highlights the act of choosing one option from several possibilities.

settled on

Implies a decision made after considering multiple options, with a sense of finality.

reached a verdict

Implies a more formal or deliberative process leading to a decision.

arrived at a resolution

Suggests a decision that resolves a problem or conflict.

determined to

Indicates a strong intention and resolve to carry out a decision.

resolved to

Emphasizes a firm commitment to a particular course of action.

took a stance

Focuses on making a clear declaration or adopting a firm position on an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "made a decision" in a sentence?

You can use "made a decision" to describe a past action of choosing a course of action. For example, "After careful consideration, she "made a decision" to accept the job offer".

What are some alternatives to "made a decision"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "came to a conclusion", "opted for", or "resolved to" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "made a decision" or "decided"?

Both "made a decision" and "decided" are correct. "Decided" is more concise, while "made a decision" can sometimes add emphasis to the deliberative process.

What's the difference between "made a decision" and "reached a verdict"?

"Made a decision" is a general term for choosing a course of action. "Reached a verdict" implies a more formal, often legal, process of deliberation and judgment.