made a decision to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a decision to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about making a plan or choice to do something. For example: "She made a decision to pursue a career in teaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We think they made a decision to fight us.

Independent

Amber made a decision to stand up and say yes".

Independent

I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.

The New York Times

So that's when I made a decision to really change".

The New York Times

We made a decision to let that guy go.

The New York Times - Sports

"I made a decision to get into this race.

The New York Times

"They made a decision to have a manual recount.

The New York Times

"I'd just made a decision to put off having children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You've said you made a decision to be wealthy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I made a decision to dismiss him for that".

The New York Times - Sports

He could have made a decision to reduce student maintenance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a stronger verb like "resolved", "opted" or "chose" for more impact, especially if the decision was particularly significant.

Common error

Avoid using "decide" immediately after "made a decision to". It's redundant. For example, instead of "She made a decision to decide to go", say "She made a decision to go."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a decision to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of choosing or resolving to do something. Ludwig shows it commonly precedes a verb, specifying the action that was decided upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made a decision to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a conscious choice or resolution to undertake a particular action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not following it immediately with "decide". Simpler alternatives like "decided to" or stronger verbs like "resolved to" can sometimes provide more impact. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase’s correctness and provides numerous examples across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decided to

This is a more concise way of expressing the same action, omitting the "made a" portion.

chose to

A simple and direct alternative, highlighting the act of selection.

resolved to

Implies a firmer and more determined decision than the original phrase.

determined to

Highlights the firmness and resolve behind the decision.

opted to

Focuses on the choice made from multiple options.

elected to

Suggests a formal or considered choice.

settled on

Indicates a decision reached after some consideration or debate.

undertook to

Emphasizes the commitment to action following the decision.

concluded to

Implies that the decision came after a deliberation process.

seen fit to

This alternative places emphasis on judgment and discretion.

FAQs

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

Use "made a decision to" to describe a conscious choice or resolution. For instance, "After careful consideration, she made a decision to accept the job offer."

What are some alternatives to "made a decision to"?

You can use alternatives like "decided to", "resolved to", or "chose to" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "made a decision to decide"?

Yes, saying "made a decision to decide" is redundant. It's better to simply say ""decided to"" or "made a decision to" followed by the action.

What is the difference between "made a decision to" and "decided to"?

While both phrases are similar, "made a decision to" can sometimes imply a more formal or deliberate process compared to the more straightforward ""decided to"".