specifically decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specifically decided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that has been made with particular clarity or detail. Example: "The committee specifically decided to allocate more funds to the community project this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That question has never been specifically decided by this Court.

Cornell University

Back in 2000, Congress specifically decided not to regulate credit-default swaps.

The New York Times

Stonesifer had specifically decided not to call on the heads of governments.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They have specifically decided not to do any 'investigative' films and want lightweight stuff," she said.

The Guardian

The Government said it had specifically decided not to release political prisoners under 70 who stuck to heretical political beliefs.

The New York Times

Mr. Khan, whom they had specifically decided not to add to the kill list, was dead, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"What the Court did not do, as many expected, or perhaps even hoped, was to specifically decide whether partisan gerrymandering claims are currently even justiciable and, if so, articulate the test(s) under which such claims will be assessed.

Forbes

More specifically, decide that this is the place where your career will begin, or continue.

Huffington Post

It's a masturbatory slash masochistic impulse, this desire to imbibe the world in all its fecundity, but I remember very specifically deciding that if my life and the lives of a lot of other people were bad, there was no use pretending otherwise it was my responsibility to confront the world and its various shittery, and not back down.

Vice

Without specifically deciding to become permanent emigrants, respondents nevertheless spoke of the process through which the option of return becomes ever more remote.

Human Resources for Health

Specifically, we decided to create an MP3 player that broadcasted the songs to an FM dial.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specifically decided" when you want to emphasize that a decision was made with a clear and particular intention, distinguishing it from general or implied choices.

Common error

Avoid using "specifically decided" in very casual conversation. While grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "chose" or "decided" alone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specifically decided" functions as a verb phrase modifier. It emphasizes the manner in which a decision was made, indicating a clear and deliberate action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it underlines a particular intention or detail behind the choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "specifically decided" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, typically used to emphasize the clarity and intent behind a decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, and less so in informal conversation where simpler alternatives might be preferred. While not incorrect in those situations, its more formal tone might sound slightly out of place. Several alternatives exist, like "explicitly determined" or "deliberately chosen", which can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Using "specifically decided" correctly means highlighting a conscious, focused, and purposeful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly determined

Uses "explicitly" to emphasize clarity, instead of "specifically".

deliberately chosen

Replaces "decided" with "chosen" to highlight the selection process.

intentionally resolved

Employs "intentionally" to convey purposefulness, altering "decided" to "resolved".

expressly agreed

Uses "expressly" to stress clarity and consensus, changing "decided" to "agreed".

particularly determined

Emphasizes the particularity of the decision, using "determined" instead of "decided".

precisely opted

Highlights exactness with "precisely", substituting "decided" with "opted".

carefully concluded

Focuses on the thoughtfulness of the decision, replacing "decided" with "concluded".

purposely settled

Conveys intent with "purposely", changing "decided" to "settled".

knowingly elected

Highlights awareness in the decision, using "elected" in place of "decided".

formally designated

Implies an official or structured decision process, replacing "decided" with "designated".

FAQs

How can I use "specifically decided" in a sentence?

You can use "specifically decided" to emphasize a deliberate and clear choice. For example, "The committee "specifically decided" to allocate more funds to education this year".

What are some alternatives to "specifically decided"?

Alternatives include phrases like "explicitly determined", "deliberately chosen", or "intentionally resolved", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "specifically decided"? Can't all decisions be considered specific?

While all decisions involve some level of specificity, "specifically decided" emphasizes that the decision was made with particular clarity, intent, or detail. It highlights that the decision was not ambiguous or left to chance.

What's the difference between "specifically decided" and simply saying "decided"?

Adding "specifically" emphasizes the clarity, intent, and deliberateness behind the decision. "Decided" is a general term, while ""specifically decided"" indicates a conscious and focused choice.