they settled on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they settled on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a decision or agreement reached after consideration or discussion. Example: "After much deliberation, they settled on the final design for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ledbetter claims that they built nearly 200 models before they settled on one.

TechCrunch

They settled on one month of ostracism.

Huffington Post

In the end, they settled on the obvious ones.

The New York Times - Science

Eventually, they settled on a ladylike, elegant look, one without a lot of fuss.

The New York Times

Eventually, after rejecting other possibilities, they settled on her as "the only one to be chosen".

Wikipedia

They settled on Zara.

The New York Times

They settled on Lia.

The New York Times - Sports

They settled on Adobada.

The New Yorker

They settled on legal tradition.

The Economist

They settled on "Abstract Classicism".

The New York Times - Arts

They settled on Mr. Santorum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they settled on" to indicate a decision or agreement reached after some consideration or debate. It implies a process of evaluating options before arriving at a conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "they settled on" when there was no real deliberation or alternative options considered. Use "they chose" or "they decided" instead if the decision was straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they settled on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decision or agreement reached after a period of consideration. It shows that a group has evaluated different options and arrived at a final choice. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they settled on" is a versatile phrase used to describe a decision made after considering multiple options. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "they agreed on" or "they decided on" can serve as alternatives, "they settled on" specifically implies a process of deliberation. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the element of choice and consideration that led to a final decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they agreed upon

Focuses on the mutual agreement aspect more than the decision-making process itself.

they decided on

A direct and common alternative, simply emphasizing the act of making a decision.

they chose

Implies a selection from multiple options, highlighting the element of preference.

they opted for

Suggests a deliberate choice, often indicating a preference for one option over others.

they concurred on

More formal, emphasizing the alignment of opinions leading to an agreement.

they came to a consensus on

Highlights the process of achieving unanimous agreement after discussion.

they resolved upon

Implies a firm decision, often after overcoming doubts or difficulties.

they determined

A more formal way of saying they decided, often used in official or legal contexts.

they fixed on

Suggests a more definite and unwavering choice, less common in modern usage.

they designated

Focuses on formally assigning or selecting something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "they settled on" to indicate that a group or individuals have come to a final decision after considering different options. For example, "After much discussion, "they settled on" a new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "they settled on"?

You can use alternatives such as "they agreed on", "they decided on", or "they chose" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "they settled with" instead of "they settled on"?

No, "they settled with" has a different meaning, usually referring to resolving a dispute or reaching an agreement with someone. "They settled on" indicates a decision was made about something.

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

"They settled on" typically refers to choosing a specific thing or option, while "they decided to" implies making a decision to take a particular action. For example, "They settled on pizza for dinner" versus "They decided to order pizza".