societal choices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "societal choices" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing decisions or options that affect society as a whole or are made by a community or group. Example: "The debate on climate change often revolves around the societal choices we make regarding energy consumption and resource management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"They are societal choices".

The New Yorker

"The ultimate costs will depend on both societal choices and technology developments," the study found.

The New York Times

But accuracy mattered less than what Mr. Wiener called "reducing the role of thoughtlessness" in making societal choices.

The New York Times

Decades of government and societal choices have de-emphasized public health and disease prevention in favor of medical care and high-tech treatment.

The New York Times

(6) Information on exactly how much water is required and where, by capturing societal choices on environmental assets.

Journal of Hydrology

This article is about making decisions concerning the management of sustainability, decisions that may influence the use or protection of natural resources or address difficult societal choices.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"How much is too much" is in fact a societal choice more than a question answerable by science.

The New York Times

The result, as the energy economist Dieter Helm points out, is that "nuclear energy is a societal choice", not a matter of business.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ed St. John, a professor of education at the University of Michigan, says that the increases in tuition reflect a societal choice to make the "consumers" of education carry more of its costs.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the present case, the (anticipated) population decline appears to be an individual or societal choice, it is not being driven by some other factor such as those listed above.

The Economist

"Unless there is a societal choice to abandon dynamic markets and leverage for some form of central planning, I fear that preventing bubbles will in the end turn out to be infeasible," Mr. Greenspan wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "societal choices" to underscore the ethical and moral dimensions of decisions that affect large groups of people.

Common error

Avoid using "societal choices" when discussing personal decisions. Reserve it for situations where the impact extends beyond the individual to affect a larger community or system.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "societal choices" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It represents the decisions, options, or courses of action that a society or its governing bodies can take. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "societal choices" is a noun phrase that refers to the collective decisions made by a society, community, or its governing bodies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely frequent, the phrase appears most often in news and media, and scientific contexts, emphasizing decisions that have a broad societal impact. When using this phrase, ensure that it reflects decisions impacting more than just individuals. Alternatives like "collective decisions" or "public policy decisions" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective decisions

Focuses on the group aspect of the decision-making process.

communal options

Emphasizes the range of possibilities available to a community.

public policy decisions

Specifically refers to choices made within the realm of government and law.

community preferences

Highlights the desires and priorities of a local population.

shared values

Refers to the principles that guide a society's decisions.

social priorities

Indicates the areas a society deems most important to address.

civic responsibilities

Focuses on the duties and accountabilities of citizens in making decisions.

democratic processes

Highlights the procedures by which collective choices are made.

cultural imperatives

Emphasizes choices driven by established customs and traditions.

systemic actions

Highlights actions that occur within a broader interconnected system, shaping outcomes at societal level.

FAQs

How can I use "societal choices" in a sentence?

You can use "societal choices" to discuss decisions made by communities or governments that impact the wider population. For example: "The debate centers on the "societal choices" we make regarding healthcare funding."

What are some alternatives to "societal choices"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "collective decisions", "public policy decisions", or "community preferences".

How does "societal choices" differ from "individual choices"?

"Societal choices" refer to decisions made at a community or governmental level with broad impact, while "individual choices" pertain to personal decisions with localized effects.

Why is it important to consider "societal choices"?

Considering "societal choices" is crucial because these decisions shape the future and well-being of communities and can have lasting effects on various aspects of life, including the environment, economy, and social structure.