reached a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a conclusion or choice has been made after consideration or discussion. Example: "After much deliberation, the committee finally reached a decision on the funding proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The woman reached a decision.

The New York Times

"We haven't reached a decision," he said.

The New York Times

But campaign officials had not reached a decision late tonight.

The New York Times

As far as I'm concerned, they haven't reached a decision".

The New York Times

Having reached a decision, the human operator normally takes some action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I don't think they've reached a decision yet whether to take down Zhou Yongkang himself".

The New York Times

Mr. Jarrell said the discussions are preliminary, and the trustee has not reached a decision.

The New York Times

So … we've reached a decision point for you is what I indicate with a shrug.

The New Yorker

By 1952 the Windsors had reached a decision about where they should base themselves: France.

The New York Times

"They're telling us, 'Oh, we've reached a decision,' but they aren't giving us any details.

The New York Times

It is understood an announcement will be made when Burberry's board has reached a decision.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, you can use the simpler phrase "made a decision". However, using "reached a decision" might add slightly more emphasis on the preceding deliberation.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "reached" as "teach" due to typos. "Teach a decision" doesn't make sense. Always double-check the spelling to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a decision" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the completion of a thought process leading to a conclusion or choice. It implies a deliberate process. Examples in Ludwig show its use across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reached a decision" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a conclusion or choice has been made, often after deliberation. According to Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal settings. While alternatives like "made a decision" or "came to a conclusion" exist, "reached a decision" often implies a more thoughtful and considered process. It’s important to ensure correct spelling and consider the context to select the most appropriate phrase. The high frequency of usage and the authoritative sources that employ the phrase confirm its acceptability in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to a conclusion

This option uses "came to" instead of "reached", focusing on the process of arriving at a final point.

made a determination

This alternative replaces "reached" with "made" and "decision" with "determination", suggesting a more formal tone.

arrived at a judgment

This phrase swaps "decision" for "judgment", which implies a more considered and formal assessment.

decided upon a course of action

This is a more verbose and formal way of saying "reached a decision", emphasizing the selected path.

settled on a resolution

This suggests a decision that resolves a problem or dispute, adding a specific context.

opted for a solution

This highlights the act of choosing one solution among several possibilities.

concluded an agreement

This alternative focuses on reaching a mutual understanding or settlement.

resolved the matter

This focuses on the act of settling or finding a solution to an issue, implying a decision.

formulated a plan

This shifts the focus to the creation of a strategy or course of action, which is a type of decision.

determined the outcome

This emphasizes the result of the decision-making process.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "reached a decision"?

You can use alternatives like "made a determination", "came to a conclusion", or "arrived at a judgment" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "reached a decision" or "made a decision"?

"Reached a decision" often implies a more deliberate process, while "made a decision" is more straightforward. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

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

You can use it like this: "After careful consideration, the board "reached a decision" to approve the funding." Ensure the sentence flows logically and the context is clear.

What's the difference between "reached a decision" and "came to a conclusion"?

While similar, ""reached a decision"" often refers to a specific choice, whereas "came to a conclusion" might refer more broadly to forming an opinion or understanding after considering evidence.