make a spontaneous decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a spontaneous decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice made quickly and without prior planning or consideration. Example: "After much deliberation, I decided to make a spontaneous decision and book a last-minute trip to the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'll probably make a spontaneous decision at some point [to retire] but I'm not there yet".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was happy," said Saturday, "but I made a spontaneous decision not to overdo the celebrations out of respect for the land of my forefathers".

The New York Times - Sports

About halfway through I made a spontaneous decision to go and get Qdoba for later that night.

Huffington Post

After dropping him off at his destination, I made a spontaneous decision to ask all future passengers to contribute with their favourite quotes, proverbs, or words of wisdom.

Huffington Post

Planning to move to London, I made a very spontaneous decision to come back to LA for a short visit.

Vice

Eating a hot dog is almost always the result of a spontaneous decision, usually one poorly made and quickly regretted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not a spontaneous decision".

The New York Times

It was a spontaneous decision and nothing personal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This was in no way a spontaneous decision.

The New York Times

"It was a spontaneous decision," he said.

Los Angeles Times

This necessary time isn't a spontaneous decision.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "make a spontaneous decision" to convey that a choice was made quickly and without much forethought. It's suitable for describing personal actions or someone's behavior in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "make a spontaneous decision" to excuse actions that could have serious negative consequences. Spontaneity doesn't negate responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a spontaneous decision" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is the main verb and "a spontaneous decision" is the object. It signifies the action of arriving at a choice without prior planning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a spontaneous decision" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing a choice made quickly and without prior planning, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not overly formal, it's appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, general discussions and even in scientific contexts. Alternative expressions include "make an impulsive choice" or "decide on the spur of the moment". It is important to note that while spontaneity is often viewed positively, recklessnes is not a virtue; avoid using the phrase to excuse actions that could have negative consequences. Ludwig examples showcase the phrase in varied scenarios, underlining its adaptability in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make an impulsive choice

Emphasizes acting on immediate urges or desires rather than careful consideration.

Make a snap decision

Highlights the quickness and abruptness of the decision-making process.

Decide on the spur of the moment

Focuses on the unplanned nature and the immediate context influencing the decision.

Make an on-the-spot decision

Highlights that the decision is being made at the place and time it is needed.

Come to a sudden conclusion

Suggests a rapid cognitive process leading to a decision.

Take a leap of faith

Implies making a decision with uncertain outcomes, relying on trust or intuition.

Go with your gut feeling

Stresses relying on intuition or instinct in decision-making.

Act on impulse

Highlights behavior driven by immediate urges without prior planning.

Make a hasty judgment

Indicates a quick decision that may not be well-considered.

Choose without thinking

Underscores the lack of deliberation in the decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "make a spontaneous decision" in a sentence?

You can use "make a spontaneous decision" to describe a choice made quickly and without planning. For example, "I decided to "make a spontaneous decision" and booked a weekend trip".

What's a more formal way to say "make a spontaneous decision"?

While "make a spontaneous decision" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts you might consider using "make an impulsive choice" or "decide on the spur of the moment".

Is it correct to say "take a spontaneous decision"?

While understandable, "make a spontaneous decision" is more idiomatic and grammatically preferred over "take a spontaneous decision".

What does it mean to "make a spontaneous decision"?

To ""make a spontaneous decision"" means to choose or act without prior planning or deliberation, often driven by a sudden impulse or feeling.