own decisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "own decisions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone is making choices for themselves, independent of others' influence. Example: "It's important for individuals to take responsibility for their own decisions and learn from the outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People make their own decisions".

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone makes their own decisions.

Independent

He owns his own decisions".

The New York Times

Each university has taken its own decisions.

The Economist

They can make their own decisions.

The New York Times - Sports

"Ultimately the president makes his own decisions.

The New York Times

"I just worked on my own decisions.

The New York Times

"Liverpool make their own decisions," he shrugged.

Independent

Live with our own decisions".

The New York Times - Magazine

Self-sufficient and autonomous robots necessarily make their own decisions.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

"I like making my own decisions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "own decisions" to emphasize that an individual or entity is responsible for and in control of their choices, without external influence. For instance, "It's crucial for teenagers to learn to make their "own decisions" to foster independence."

Common error

Avoid using "own decisions" in contexts where the ownership is already implied or obvious. Overusing it can make the writing sound redundant or unnatural. For example, instead of saying "They made their "own decisions" about their lives," simply say "They made decisions about their lives."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "own decisions" functions as a noun phrase, where "own" modifies "decisions" to emphasize possession and autonomy. It highlights that the decisions are made independently and are the responsibility of the individual or entity making them. Ludwig's examples show its common use in contexts where independence and responsibility are key.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "own decisions" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize independent decision-making. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science, to underscore autonomy and personal responsibility. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by not overusing it in situations where independence is already implied. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally well-regarded and applicable in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

independent choices

Focuses on the independence of the choices made.

personal choices

Highlights the personal nature of the decisions.

individual decisions

Emphasizes that each decision is made by a single person.

autonomous decisions

Stresses the self-governed and independent nature of the decision-making process.

self-determined choices

Highlights the act of determining one's own choices.

self-directed decisions

Focuses on the direction and control exerted by the individual.

discretionary choices

Emphasizes the freedom to choose at one's own discretion.

self-made decisions

Highlights the fact that decisions are made without external help.

voluntary choices

Underscores the voluntary nature of the decision.

choices made independently

Rephrases the concept to focus on the act of making choices without outside influence.

FAQs

How can I use "own decisions" in a sentence?

You can use "own decisions" to emphasize that someone is making choices independently and is responsible for the outcomes. For example, "It's important to allow children to make their "own decisions", even if they sometimes make mistakes."

What's the difference between "own decisions" and "personal choices"?

"Own decisions" emphasizes the act of making independent choices and taking responsibility for them, while "personal choices" simply refers to choices that are related to someone's personal life or preferences. The former highlights autonomy, whereas the latter highlights relevance to the individual.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "own decisions"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "independent choices", "autonomous decisions", or "self-determined choices". Each of these alternatives emphasizes a slightly different aspect of making choices without external influence.

Is it always necessary to specify that decisions are "own decisions"?

No, it's not always necessary. Only use "own decisions" when you want to specifically highlight that the decisions were made independently, without coercion, or external influence. If the context already implies this, using "own decisions" can be redundant.