reach a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of making a choice after considering all the relevant information. Example: After an hour of debate, the board was finally able to reach a decision on the allocation of resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

How much time to reach a decision?

The Guardian - Books

Legislators were unable to reach a decision.

The New York Times

The judge is expected to reach a decision in December.

The New York Times

Will the Justices reach a decision on the merits?

The New Yorker

We'll reach a decision on whether to appeal".

The New York Times - Arts

The commission was not unable to reach a decision.

The New York Times

Budget conferees have until Saturday to reach a decision.

The Washington Post

Deadlock occurred because most members could not afford the information costs needed to reach a decision.

Research Policy

JudComm tries the case throughout February, but fails to reach a decision.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It usually interacts with the system-one response to reach a decision.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The parties must reach a decision before the original agreement expires.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reach a decision" when you want to emphasize the process of deliberation and consideration that leads to a final choice. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While similar to "make a decision", using "reach a decision" suggests a more thoughtful and potentially lengthier process of evaluation before arriving at the conclusion. Use "make a decision" when the emphasis is simply on the act of choosing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a decision" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the action of arriving at a conclusion after a period of consideration. It highlights the outcome of a process, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach a decision" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the completion of a decision-making process. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts. While similar to "make a decision", it subtly implies a more deliberative approach. Alternatives include "arrive at a conclusion" and "come to a resolution", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. When writing, remember that using "reach a decision" suggests careful thought and consideration. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, making it a reliable choice for expressing the outcome of a decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive at a conclusion

Emphasizes the finality of the thought process.

come to a resolution

Suggests solving a problem or dispute.

make a determination

Highlights the act of firmly deciding something.

draw a conclusion

Focuses on inferring information from evidence.

formulate a judgment

Implies careful consideration and assessment.

settle on a choice

Indicates selecting from multiple options.

decide upon a course of action

Specifically refers to choosing how to proceed.

resolve an issue

Focuses on finding a solution for a problem.

achieve consensus

Highlights agreement among multiple parties.

end deliberations

Implies the conclusion of a long discussion.

FAQs

What is the difference between "reach a decision" and "make a decision"?

"Reach a decision" implies a process of deliberation and consideration leading to a conclusion, whereas "make a decision" simply refers to the act of choosing. The former suggests a more involved process.

How to use "reach a decision" in a sentence?

You can use "reach a decision" to describe how a group or individual concludes an evaluation, for example, "After careful consideration, the committee was able to "reach a decision"."

What can I say instead of "reach a decision"?

You can use alternatives like "arrive at a conclusion", "come to a resolution", or "make a determination" depending on the context.

Is "reaching a decision" grammatically correct?

Yes, "reaching a decision" is grammatically correct. It's often used as a gerund phrase, for example, "Reaching a decision required a thorough review of all the evidence".