taking a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the process of making a choice or reaching a conclusion after consideration. Example: "After much deliberation, the committee is finally taking a decision on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Before taking a decision we must see whether it is really necessary," he said recently.

The Economist

Bayern manager Guardiola said: "I never in my life criticise a player for taking a decision.

Independent

But he thinks the government should not be taking a decision now.

The Guardian

That is why the Commons should not be taking a decision today.

The Guardian

The board will continue to monitor the cash flow generation before taking a decision.

The Guardian - Business

The privy council sounds grand, but in practice it's just a minister taking a decision.

The Guardian

"That shows there's only a few days to go to taking a decision," said Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.

The Guardian

The Football Association will receive Jon Moss's report on Monday and will scrutinise it before taking a decision.

The Guardian - Sport

And now they can say, 'The court is taking a decision, we can't be blamed for it anymore'".

The Guardian - Tech

He did, however, confirm that the Bank would have to consult with him before taking a decision on the matter.

The Guardian

Mr O'Neil says the key is taking a decision: "The truth is that it doesn't matter what we choose, only that we do choose".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure that the context clearly indicates who is "taking a decision" and the basis upon which that decision is being made.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "taking a decision" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "deciding" or "making up your mind" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a decision" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a clause to describe the action of making a choice or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking a decision" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for describing the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While it's appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and business, it tends towards a neutral to professional register. For more casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "making a decision" or simply "deciding" might be more suitable. As demonstrated in the examples, the phrase emphasizes the deliberative process involved in reaching a conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making a decision

This alternative replaces "taking" with "making", a common synonym in this context.

reaching a decision

This alternative uses "reaching" to convey the sense of arriving at a conclusion.

arriving at a decision

This phrase uses "arriving at" instead of "taking" emphasizing the conclusion.

coming to a decision

This alternative employs "coming to" suggesting the process of reaching a conclusion.

deciding

This is a more concise, verb-form alternative to the phrase.

making up one's mind

This alternative is more informal and idiomatic, suggesting a resolution of uncertainty.

determining

This alternative emphasizes the act of finding something out exactly.

resolving

This alternative emphasizes solving a question.

settling on a decision

This alternative implies finalizing a choice after considering alternatives.

concluding

This alternative indicates the end of a deliberation process.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "taking a decision"?

You can use alternatives like "making a decision", "reaching a decision", or simply "deciding" depending on the context.

Is "taking a decision" formal or informal?

The phrase "taking a decision" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is appropriate for professional writing but might sound slightly stilted in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal contexts.

How to use "taking a decision" in a sentence?

Use "taking a decision" when you want to emphasize the process of making a choice. For example, "The board is carefully considering all factors before "taking a decision" on the merger."

What's the difference between "making a decision" and "taking a decision"?

While both phrases are very similar, "making a decision" is often perceived as slightly more common and natural-sounding. "Taking a decision" is perfectly acceptable but can sometimes sound a bit more formal or deliberate.