reconsider a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reconsider a decision" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about revisiting an important decision after thinking it through more thoroughly. For example, "The board decided to postpone the contracts until next month, but they have been asked to reconsider the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

And it has asked an appeals court to reconsider a decision on patents over advertising online.

The New York Times

The department's refusal to reconsider a decision to end bilateral aid to Burundi was also censured.

The Guardian

In it, he unsuccessfully urged the court to reconsider a decision allowing Congress to protect endangered species under the clause.

The New York Times

The family of the great train robber Ronnie Biggs today urged the justice secretary, Jack Straw, to reconsider a decision to block his release.

The Guardian

India's Supreme Court dismissed a petition on Wednesday to reconsider a decision to reduce the charges against seven men convicted for their roles in the 1984 leak at the Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal.

The New York Times

In his dissent in Lawrence, he complained about "surprising readiness to reconsider a decision rendered a mere 17 years ago in Bowers v. Hardwick" — in which the Court upheld anti-sodomy laws.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Thursday was not the first time that Mr. Lafrem had reconsidered a decision to plead guilty.

The New York Times

He announced in Houma that he was reconsidering a decision to deduct the money that fishermen earned as temporary employees in the cleanup operation from their claims payments.

The New York Times

Reuters has reconsidered a decision against accepting advertising from the United Methodist Church for the electronic screens on its American headquarters in Times Square.

The New York Times

Opponents of the death penalty have pressed the court for several years to reconsider a 1989 decision that upheld capital punishment for older teenagers; a decision in 1988 struck down the death penalty for those age 15 and younger.

The New York Times

Among the protesters' demands: that the school reconsider a recent decision to begin charging graduate students tuition, and that the president, Jamshed Bharucha, resign.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "reconsider a decision", provide clear and compelling reasons for why the original decision should be revisited. This shows respect for the initial thought process and increases the likelihood of a successful reevaluation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that asking someone to "reconsider a decision" guarantees a different outcome. It simply opens the door for further evaluation; the initial decision may still stand after the review.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reconsider a decision" functions as a directive or suggestion. It implies a call to re-evaluate a previously made choice, often with the hope of a different outcome. Ludwig examples showcase its use in legal, business, and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reconsider a decision" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to suggest a re-evaluation of a previously made choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various professional contexts, including news, business, and science. While its frequency is notable, it’s crucial to provide clear reasons when requesting a reconsideration to ensure a productive review. Related phrases like "rethink a determination" or "review a conclusion" offer alternative ways to express this concept, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rethink a determination

Emphasizes the act of thinking again about a concluded judgement.

re-evaluate a judgement

Focuses on the act of reassessing the value or worth of a judgement.

review a conclusion

Implies a formal examination of a conclusion.

reassess a determination

Highlights the need to assess the determination once more.

revise a judgement

Suggests making changes or corrections to a previous judgement.

take another look at a decision

Suggests a second inspection or contemplation of the problem, often implying a change of heart.

think again about a ruling

Implies a deeper reflection about the correctness of a ruling.

revisit a finding

Implies a return to the initial finding, often with the intention of refinement.

change one's mind regarding a determination

Focuses on changing a mental state concerning a determination.

alter a judgment

Suggests a change or modification to a judgment that already exists.

FAQs

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

You can use "reconsider a decision" to suggest a review of a previously made choice. For example, "The committee asked the CEO to "reconsider a decision" to close the plant."

What is a more formal way to say "reconsider a decision"?

In a formal context, you might use phrases like "re-evaluate a judgement" or "review a conclusion" instead of "reconsider a decision".

What's the difference between "reconsider a decision" and "revise a decision"?

"Reconsider a decision" means to think about a decision again, possibly leading to a change. "Revise a decision" implies making changes to the decision itself.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "reconsider a decision"?

It is appropriate to ask someone to "reconsider a decision" when new information becomes available, when the original reasoning is flawed, or when the consequences of the decision are not as expected.