they have decided

USAGE SUMMARY

"they have decided" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people deciding to do something together. For example: "The board members have decided to invest in new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have decided to appeal.

The New York Times

They have decided most elections ever since.

The New Yorker

But they have decided to stay.

The New York Times

They have decided not to panic.

The New York Times - Sports

Some say they have decided not to vote.

The New York Times

Like Napoleon before Waterloo, they have decided to gamble.

The Economist

They have decided to start early on Europe.

Independent

"They have decided to re-establish democracy," Mr. Ouattara said.

The New York Times

So they have decided to move to a new nest.

The New York Times

Now they have decided to do just that.

The New York Times

But they have decided not to meet on Saturday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like "resolved" or "determined" if you want to convey a sense of firmness or investigation in their decision.

Common error

Avoid using "they have decided" if the antecedent of "they" is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure the reader can easily identify the group or entity that made the decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have decided" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a group or entity has made a choice or reached a conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase follows standard grammatical rules. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they have decided" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that a group or entity has reached a decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. With a neutral tone, it is appropriate for various contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media. While alternatives like "they resolved" or "they determined" may offer nuanced emphasis, "they have decided" provides a straightforward and clear way to communicate a decision. Ensure clarity in pronoun reference for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they resolved

Emphasizes a firm decision or determination, often implying a commitment to a course of action.

they determined

Implies a careful investigation or calculation leading to a firm decision.

they came to the conclusion

Highlights the process of reasoning and arriving at a judgment after consideration.

they settled on

Indicates a final agreement or selection after some deliberation.

they opted

Suggests a choice between multiple options, often implying a preference for one over others.

they agreed

Focuses on the consensus reached among a group, highlighting the collaborative nature of the decision.

they have come to an agreement

Similar to "they agreed" but emphasizes the finality and formality of the decision.

they made the choice

Directly states the act of choosing, emphasizing the agency involved.

they took a decision

Highlights the action of deciding, stressing the active role in the decision-making process.

they reached a verdict

Suggests a formal judgment or conclusion, often in a legal or official context.

FAQs

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

Use "they have decided" when referring to a group of people or entities who have collectively reached a decision. For example, "The committee "they have decided" to postpone the meeting."

What are some alternatives to saying "they have decided"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "they resolved", "they determined", or "they opted".

Is "they have decided" formal or informal?

The phrase "they have decided" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality is often more dependent on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What is the difference between "they decided" and "they have decided"?

"They decided" indicates a decision made in the past, while "they have decided" implies a decision made in the past that has relevance to the present. "They decided" simply states a past event, while "they have decided" often implies that the decision has ongoing consequences or effects.