reaching a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of making a choice or conclusion after consideration. Example: "After much deliberation, the committee is finally reaching a decision on the funding proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died a month later, without reaching a decision.

The New York Times

Yet reaching a decision evidently proved much tougher than expected.

The Economist

The justices then conferred by telephone before reaching a decision.

The New York Times

CADE officials declined to comment before reaching a decision.

The New York Times

Reaching a decision had looked like a labyrinthine process.

The Guardian - Tech

"We never have a problem reaching a decision," Accorsi said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the second written indication jurors were having trouble reaching a decision.

The New York Times

John and I looked at each other and we had no difficulty in reaching a decision".

The Guardian

We remain committed to reaching a decision as soon as we can".

The Guardian

But other officials "saw merit in accumulating further information before reaching a decision," according to the minutes.

The New York Times

By not reaching a decision earlier, he complained, the United States dithered away its leverage over other countries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. Use "reaching a decision" when you want to emphasize the process of deliberation and consideration that leads to a choice, rather than simply stating the choice itself.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who is "reaching a decision". Instead of writing "A decision was reached", specify who made the decision: "The committee reached a decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching a decision" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, describing the process of making a choice or judgment. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reaching a decision" is a commonly used gerund phrase that describes the process of making a choice after careful consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure that the sentence structure clearly indicates who is reaching the decision. Alternatives such as "making a determination" or "arriving at a conclusion" can be used to add variety to your writing. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively communicate the process of deliberation and choice-making in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making a determination

Focuses on the act of firmly deciding something.

arriving at a conclusion

Emphasizes the endpoint of a thought process.

coming to a resolution

Highlights the solving of a problem or dispute.

forming a judgment

Stresses the evaluation aspect of decision-making.

settling on a choice

Implies selecting one option from several.

deciding upon a course of action

Specifically refers to choosing a plan or method.

concluding an agreement

Focuses on finalizing a mutual understanding.

taking a decision

A more direct, less nuanced way of saying making a decision.

finalizing an opinion

Emphasizes the act of making one's perspective more definite.

making up one's mind

A more informal way of describing the resolution of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "reaching a decision" to describe the process of making a choice after careful thought. For example, "After much deliberation, the jury is "reaching a decision"".

What are some alternatives to "reaching a decision"?

Alternatives include "making a determination", "arriving at a conclusion", or "coming to a resolution" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reaching a decision" or "making a decision"?

"Reaching a decision" emphasizes the process and effort involved in making the choice, while "making a decision" is a more general statement of the act of choosing.

What is the difference between "reaching a decision" and "reaching a verdict"?

"Reaching a decision" is a general term applicable to any choice or conclusion. "Reaching a verdict", on the other hand, specifically refers to the decision made by a jury in a legal case.