refer the decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refer the decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when directing someone to consider or consult a specific decision, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "In cases of dispute, we may need to refer the decision to the board for final approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Haddin isn't sure if he caught it, so the umpires refer the decision to their colleague.

The Guardian - Sport

May I cut his essay from the anthology, or should I refer the decision to my co-editor?

The New York Times - Magazine

In the midst of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, Ofcom's turn-of-the-year advice to refer the decision to the Competition Commission provided the perfect opportunity for Mr Hunt to keep his hands clean.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because neither Hamilton nor Verstappen was still at the track the FIA decided to refer the decision to the stewards at the next race, the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on 23 October.

The Guardian - Sport

Emerson chose not to refer the decision to the third umpire, but replays showed that Jayawardene, who went on to hit 120 off 111 balls, was out of his ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Those tensions dropped almost immediately — along with the jaws of many Israelis — when President Obama announced on Aug. 31 that he would refer the decision to strike Syria to Congress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

England appeal, but decide against referring the decision when Warner is ruled not out.

The Guardian - Sport

The administration has also referred the decision to the appellate court, which also happens to be based in New Orleans.

The Economist

The I.A.A.F. now refers the decision to the International Olympic Committee, which will decide whether to ask the athletes, including Michael Johnson, to formally send their medals back.

The New York Times - Sports

The company says the customer service representative should have referred the decision to the pricing team to have this anomaly "corrected".

The Guardian - Money

The Guardian understands that Michael Matheson, the new cabinet secretary for justice, has since then referred the decision back to his office.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refer the decision" when you want to formally pass a decision to another person or group for a final verdict or further consideration. It's best suited for situations where the initial decision-maker lacks the authority or expertise to make the final call.

Common error

Avoid using "refer to the decision" when you mean to "refer the decision". "Refer to" implies referencing or mentioning a decision, whereas "refer the decision" means to pass the decision-making power to someone else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer the decision" functions as a verb phrase directing the action of passing a decision to another entity. Ludwig AI shows that it's employed in situations where a decision needs further consideration or approval from a higher authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refer the decision" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating the act of passing a decision to another party for further consideration or final approval. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is prevalent in news, media, scientific, and formal business contexts. To avoid confusion, ensure it isn't mistaken with "refer to", which implies referencing rather than delegating. Use it when the initial decision-maker needs additional expertise or authority for a final verdict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass the decision on

Replaces "refer" with "pass on", emphasizing the act of transferring the decision.

submit the decision to

Uses "submit" instead of "refer", suggesting a more formal transfer of the decision.

escalate the decision

Emphasizes the upward movement of the decision to a higher authority.

hand over the decision

Replaces "refer" with "hand over", highlighting the transfer of responsibility.

defer the decision

Suggests postponing the decision and passing it to someone else.

assign the decision

Focuses on allocating the decision-making responsibility to another party.

redirect the decision

Highlights changing the path of the decision-making process to a different entity.

transfer the decision

Emphasizes the act of moving the decision-making responsibility.

delegate the decision

Suggests entrusting someone else with the decision-making authority.

yield the decision

Implies relinquishing control over the decision.

FAQs

What does it mean to "refer the decision"?

To "refer the decision" means to pass the responsibility of making a decision to another person or body, often for further consideration or final approval.

When is it appropriate to "refer the decision"?

It's appropriate to "refer the decision" when the initial decision-maker lacks the necessary authority, expertise, or resources to make an informed choice. It is also appropriate when an outside impartial opinion is needed to break a tie or avoid bias.

What are some alternatives to "refer the decision"?

You can use alternatives like "pass the decision on", "submit the decision to", or "escalate the decision" depending on the context.

Is "refer the decision" formal or informal language?

"Refer the decision" is considered neutral to formal language and is appropriate in professional, academic, and official contexts. In more informal settings, you might use phrases like "pass it along" or "let them decide".