they decided on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they decided on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a choice or conclusion reached by a group of people regarding a particular matter. Example: "After much discussion, they decided on the new marketing strategy for the upcoming campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They decided on this one.

Huffington Post

They decided on beer.

The New Yorker

Luckily they decided on the former".

The New York Times

Mike: What name have they decided on?

Independent

"They decided on $75," Mr. Cuomo said.

The New York Times

So they decided on a joint venture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Therefore they decided on an operation.

The Guardian - Sport

They decided on a buzz cut.

The Guardian

Tells how they decided on the band's name.

The New Yorker

At last they decided on a suicide pact.

The New Yorker

Then they decided on a different metric, S.E.O.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they decided on", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and what options were available before the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "they decided on" when the decision was made by a single individual or without consensus. Ensure the context reflects a group's choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they decided on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a collective decision or selection made by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. It specifies the outcome of a deliberation or choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they decided on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a group has made a choice or reached a conclusion. Ludwig AI validates its usage in numerous contexts, mainly within news and media, but also spanning science, wiki, and business domains. When writing, ensure clarity regarding the decision-makers and the alternatives considered. For stylistic variation, consider options such as "they settled upon" or "they opted for". Avoiding the phrase is crucial when the decision was not made by a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they settled upon

Replaces "decided" with "settled", implying a sense of finality and agreement.

they opted for

Substitutes "decided" with "opted", suggesting a conscious choice among alternatives.

they chose

A simpler alternative, focusing on the act of selecting something.

they came to a decision on

More formal and emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion.

they agreed on

Highlights the consensus aspect of the decision.

they determined

Emphasizes the act of figuring out or establishing something.

they resolved to

Focuses on the firm decision to take a specific course of action.

they selected

A more formal alternative to "picked", suggesting careful consideration.

they picked

An informal alternative, indicating a casual selection.

they favored

Indicates a preference or bias towards a particular choice.

FAQs

How can I use "they decided on" in a sentence?

Use "they decided on" when you want to indicate a choice or conclusion reached by a group of people regarding a particular matter. For example: "After much deliberation, they decided on the new marketing strategy".

What can I say instead of "they decided on"?

You can use alternatives like "they settled upon", "they opted for", or "they chose" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they decided to" instead of "they decided on"?

While "they decided to" is also grammatically correct, it typically precedes a verb indicating an action they chose to take. "They decided on" precedes a noun, indicating the specific thing they chose.

What's the difference between "they decided on" and "they agreed on"?

"They decided on" indicates a selection or choice made from a range of options, while "they agreed on" emphasizes that there was a consensus or mutual understanding about the decision. The phrases can be interchangeable if the context implies both choice and agreement.