thought out decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought out decision" is not correct in standard written English; the correct phrase is "thought-out decision." You can use it when referring to a decision that has been carefully considered and planned before being made.
Example: "After much deliberation, we reached a thought-out decision regarding the project's direction."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was a well thought out decision and it isn't easy, but I want to go to a new club, to new challenges.

BBC

Twice it seemed the Saints' defense had stopped the Pats: the first on a fourth-and-6 drop by Aaron Dobson with 2 minutes 50 seconds left, the second on Brady's poorly thought out decision and throw to Julian Edelman, with Keenan Lewis easily intercepting the pass with 2 24 remaining.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a poorly thought out decision, made by me, at the very beginning of the company.

TechCrunch

"It was a terribly thought out decision".

Huffington Post

This is the person who looks at things from a variety of perspectives, balances the options, and makes a well thought out decision.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These types of higher-level cognitive tasks require time and careful consideration, leading to well thought out decisions and actions.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Making Smart Decisions: Business people who know how to make smart, well thought out decisions are valued in any organization.

Huffington Post

Very likely, neither will last if they occur during the retrograde because it's the wrong time to make well thought out decisions about such matters.

Huffington Post

Ad hoc decision making related to adverse events is often vital, since poorly thought out decisions can cause serious complications and even patient mortality [ 23, 24].

Critical Care

Always consider what Marian would do when making a decision, as she usually makes well thought out decisions and plans.

WikiHow

It's the part of our brains that helps us to plan, control our impulses and reason.[1] It's tempting to treat our teenagers as though they are capable of reasoning, making well thought out decisions, and controlling their impulses.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before settling on a final decision, use the phrase "think through" to clearly communicate that you are considering every aspect to come to the best solution.

Common error

A frequent error is omitting the hyphen in "well-thought-out decision". Always include the hyphens when using this phrase as a compound adjective before a noun to maintain grammatical accuracy. Another error is using "thought out" when "thought-out" is the only acceptable form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought out decision" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "decision". While commonly used, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig indicates that "thought-out decision" or "well-thought-out decision" are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought out decision" is commonly used to describe a carefully considered choice. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "well-thought-out decision", which employs hyphens to create a compound adjective. While "thought out decision" appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources, opting for "well-thought-out decision" or alternatives like "carefully considered decision" enhances clarity and credibility. Remember to hyphenate correctly when using such phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-considered decision

This alternative uses "well-considered", which is grammatically correct and emphasizes careful deliberation.

carefully planned decision

This alternative highlights the planning aspect, suggesting a proactive approach to decision-making.

deliberate decision

This alternative emphasizes the intentional and conscious nature of the decision.

reasoned decision

This alternative focuses on the logical and rational basis of the decision.

considered decision

This alternative offers a more concise way to describe a decision that has been given due thought.

strategic decision

This alternative implies that the decision is part of a larger plan or strategy.

judicious decision

This alternative suggests that the decision was made with sound judgment and wisdom.

prudent decision

This alternative emphasizes the careful and cautious nature of the decision.

informed decision

This alternative indicates that the decision was based on thorough knowledge and understanding.

calculated decision

This alternative implies a precise and analytical approach to making the decision.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "well-thought-out decision" in a sentence?

You can use "well-thought-out decision" to describe a choice that has been carefully considered. For example: "After much deliberation, the committee made a "well-thought-out decision" regarding the project's direction."

What's the difference between "thought out decision" and "well-thought-out decision"?

The phrase "thought out decision" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "well-thought-out decision", which uses hyphens to link the words into a compound adjective modifying "decision".

What are some alternatives to "thought out decision"?

Alternatives to "thought out decision" include "carefully considered decision", "deliberate decision", and "reasoned decision".

Is "thought-out decision" correct?

Using one hyphen and writing it as "thought-out decision" is grammatically correct but its use is less popular than the term "well-thought-out decision".