that settles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that settles" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a decision has been made or a conclusion has been reached. Example: "After much discussion, we finally agreed on the budget, and that settles the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

WELL, that settles it.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of that settles down.

The Guardian

Like mist that settles on the mountains.

The New York Times

"Still," he says, as if that settles it.

The New Yorker

We cannot write a regulatory rule that settles culture".

The Guardian - Business

The egg develops into a free-swimming larva that settles to the bottom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Cameron wins re-election, that settles it for another five years.

Independent

Airborne particulate matter that settles on a roof can either reflect or absorb incoming solar radiation.

Building and Environment

Therefore, there is still no commonly agreed-upon system that settles SAR target recognition so far.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The swirling dust that settles everywhere comes from both the dry topsoil and myriad construction projects.

BBC

Paul's going DVD-drive-less too?! Well that settles it…" And so it did.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that settles" to clearly signal that a decision has been made and no further discussion is needed. This is especially useful in meetings or negotiations to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Common error

Avoid using "that settles" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound too informal. Opt for phrases like "that concludes the matter" or "this resolves the issue" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that settles" primarily functions as an interjection or declarative statement. It's used to signal the end of a discussion or deliberation, indicating that a decision has been made and the matter is now closed. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that settles" is a common and generally acceptable way to indicate that a decision has been made or an issue has been resolved. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalence across various sources, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's best to reserve it for informal to neutral contexts, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Its purpose is to bring closure and prevent further discussion, effectively signaling the end of a debate or deliberation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that concludes it

Focuses more on bringing something to a formal end.

that resolves it

Emphasizes solving a problem or conflict.

that's the final word

Highlights the decisiveness and lack of further discussion.

that's decided then

Indicates a decision has been made and is now confirmed.

that's the end of it

Stresses the completion and closure of the matter.

that's all there is to it

Suggests the simplicity and finality of the situation.

it's been determined

Implies a more formal process of reaching a decision.

case closed

Informal way of saying the discussion or investigation is complete.

the matter is closed

A more formal way to express that something is finished and no longer open for debate.

let's move on

Indicates a decision has been reached and it's time to proceed to the next topic.

FAQs

What does "that settles" mean?

The phrase "that settles" means that a decision has been made, an agreement has been reached, or a matter has been resolved, indicating finality.

What can I say instead of "that settles"?

You can use alternatives like "that concludes it", "that resolves it", or "the matter is closed" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "that settles"?

The phrase "that settles" is generally considered informal to neutral. It's suitable for everyday conversations and less formal settings, but might be too casual for academic or highly professional contexts.

Is "that settles it" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that settles it" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. The addition of "it" doesn't change the meaning significantly but can add emphasis.