sway decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"sway decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to a decision that has been influenced or changed by a variety of factors or people. For example, "The attorney was successful in swaying the judge's decision".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Castro said the effort to sway decision makers was built on arguments that San Antonio not only offered excellent computer security expertise and the municipal infrastructure to support it, but was producing network warriors for the future through new programs at its high schools and local colleges.

The New York Times

Advocacy is defined here as involving "the use of tools and activities that can draw attention to an issue, gain support for it, build consensus about it, and provide arguments that will sway decision makers and public opinion to back it" (p.2) [ 40].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At worse, experts say, Trump or his allies could abuse their power to sway decision-makers.

The Washington Post

She led a failed attempt after the rally to "ambush" a delegation of officials from the central government.Such actions may attract international attention but they are indeed unlikely to sway decision-makers in Beijing.

The Economist

Public outrage might sway decisions but not the big picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

This can also sway decisions to approve or reject loans to women and men entrepreneurs.

Harvard Business Review

But interim performance figures — akin to the score in the fifth inning of a baseball game — do sway decisions.

The New York Times

The review could sway decisions on multilateral aid, and embolden local activists.If the council's workings sound arcane, that is because its birth pangs were long.

The Economist

The analysts were prepared: They used randomized testing to prove that analytics was the superior method, and relied on their interpersonal skills to sway decisions when necessary.

Harvard Business Review

Whatever Mr. Bush decides, he will be sending an important signal on whether his political ties to religious conservatives will sway decisions on social and scientific policy.

The New York Times

Al Saadi, the No. 3 son and a player for the Tripoli soccer team Al Ahli, sometimes exerts his influence to sway decisions in his club's favor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sway decision", ensure that the context clearly indicates what or who is doing the swaying and what decision is being influenced. For example, "The compelling evidence helped to "sway decision" makers."

Common error

Avoid using "sway decision" when the influence is minor or uncertain. "Influence" or "affect" may be more appropriate if the impact is not decisive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sway decision" functions as a verb followed by a noun, indicating the action of influencing a particular choice or determination. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sway decision" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of influencing a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it appears in both news and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the context indicates the agent influencing the decision and the specific decision being influenced. Although the phrase is relatively straightforward, be mindful of potentially overstating the degree of influence. Semantically related alternatives include "influence a decision" and "affect a decision", which can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence a decision

Focuses on the act of influencing, a broader term than swaying.

affect a decision

Highlights the impact on the decision, without specifying the method of influence.

impact a decision

Similar to 'affect,' but emphasizes a significant influence.

shape a decision

Suggests a more formative influence, guiding the decision's direction.

determine a decision

Implies a decisive influence, potentially dictating the outcome.

guide a decision

Suggests providing direction and advice, rather than forceful influence.

bear on a decision

A more formal way of saying 'influence' or 'affect'.

have a bearing on a decision

Similar to 'bear on', emphasizing relevance and connection.

play a role in a decision

Indicates involvement, but not necessarily dominance, in the decision-making process.

factor into a decision

Highlights that something is taken into account when deciding.

FAQs

What does "sway decision" mean?

"Sway decision" means to influence or affect a decision, potentially leading to a change in outcome.

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

You can use "sway decision" in a sentence like this: "The compelling arguments helped to "sway decision" makers to support the new policy."

What can I say instead of "sway decision"?

You can use alternatives like "influence a decision", "affect a decision", or "shape a decision".

Is it better to say "sway decision" or "influence decision"?

"Sway decision" and "influence decision" are similar, but "sway" suggests a stronger or more persuasive effect. The best choice depends on the context and the degree of impact you want to convey.