settle on a course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settle on a course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing decision-making or determining a specific plan or strategy to follow. Example: "After much deliberation, the committee was finally able to settle on a course of action to address the community's concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Prosecutors are expected to settle on a course of action soon, they said.

The New York Times

That is to say, a dominant faction, or cluster of factions, might settle on a course of action that stigmatizes or oppresses broad classes of minorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nonetheless, a senior administration official said after Mr. Bush's speech that "he has no war plans on his desk," and that he had not yet settled on a course of action in Iraq.

The New York Times

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because The Times was still settling on a course of action, said that the company planned to remove about nine feet of the ceramic rods from the bottom of the screen that encases the building.

The New York Times

On March 30 , 1981-- after a half-dozen years of aimless wandering between Texas, Colorado, Connecticut and California; after a stint living in Hollywood, where he hoped to become famous as a songwriter; after stalking President Jimmy Carter at campaign stops in Ohio and stalking the young actress Jodie Foster at Yale -- John W. Hinckley Jr. finally settled on a course of action.

The New York Times - Magazine

They're able to get in early and advance a disruptive solution because they target accounts where demand is emerging, not established accounts that are primed for change but haven't yet generated the necessary consensus, let alone settled on a course of action.

Harvard Business Review

Xunzi calls the sort of judgment that the heart makes when it settles on a course of action approval.

SEP

It can use its knowledge of the Way to guide behavior, for, Xunzi says, the heart is the ruler of the body: once it settles on a course of action, it merely has to issue its orders, and the body is sure to obey.

SEP

Intentions resist reconsideration they are relatively stable, in the sense that we take ourselves to be settled on a course of action when we intend it, and it seems to be irrational to reconsider an intention absent specific reason for doing so.

SEP

And it's anybody's guess as to whether Trump has personally settled on a course of action ― or if he even cares enough about policy details to decide on one.

Huffington Post

Even if we are smart and diligent, when it comes to settling on a course of action we resort to delaying tactics or blaming others to duck responsibility for fear of being seen as "wrong". Answers are not usually immediate.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "settle on a course of action" when you want to convey that a decision has been made after considering various options. It suggests a sense of finality and commitment to the chosen path.

Common error

Avoid confusing "settle on a course of action" with "set on a course of action". "Settle on" means to decide, while "set on" means to be determined to do something, even obstinately. The wrong preposition can drastically alter the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "settle on a course of action" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making a firm decision about a plan or strategy. It often implies a process of consideration and evaluation before arriving at a final choice, as suggested by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "settle on a course of action" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe the process of deciding on a plan or method after considering multiple options. Ludwig AI indicates its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal settings. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the idea of resolution and commitment to a chosen path. Alternative phrases like "decide on a plan" or "determine a strategy" can be used for similar effect. When using the phrase, ensure you're conveying the sense of finality in the decision and not confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "set on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

select a course of action

Similar, but uses 'select' indicating a deliberate choice.

decide on a plan

Focuses on the decision-making aspect with emphasis on a structured approach.

determine a strategy

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of the decision.

establish a method

Highlights the process-oriented nature of the decision.

adopt an approach

Suggests embracing a particular way of dealing with something.

formulate a resolution

Implies a more formal and decisive decision.

choose a path forward

Emphasizes movement and progress after the decision.

agree on a procedure

Stresses consensus and a set of steps to be followed.

conclude on a method

Highlights the finality of the decision.

reach a determination

Focuses on the outcome of a decision-making process.

FAQs

What does "settle on a course of action" mean?

It means to decide on a particular plan or method after considering different possibilities.

How can I use "settle on a course of action" in a sentence?

Example: After much deliberation, the committee had to "settle on a course of action" that would benefit the entire community.

What are some alternatives to "settle on a course of action"?

You can use alternatives like "decide on a plan", "determine a strategy", or "select a course of action".

Is "settle on a course of action" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.