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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was decided

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"was decided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that has already been made. For example: "The outcome of the vote was decided quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, that was decided.

News & Media

The New York Times

It was decided then".

Then, everything was decided?

News & Media

The New Yorker

It was decided.

"It was decided by force.

It was decided by will.

It was decided by energy.

The nation's fate was decided.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Little was decided in writing.

News & Media

Independent

Once it was decided, it was decided.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"Nothing was decided.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was decided" to indicate that a decision has been made and is now a settled matter. For example, "After careful consideration, it "was decided" to proceed with the project."

Common error

Avoid using "was decided" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "It was decided by the committee," consider "The committee decided."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was decided" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a decision has been made by an unspecified actor. It is commonly used to report or state the outcome of a decision-making process, as seen in numerous Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was decided" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that a decision has been made. It is frequently found in news, science, and wiki articles. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for more formal contexts by using alternatives like "it was determined". Ludwig AI confirms this accurate and helpful. Be mindful of using active voice for clarity and avoiding common grammatical errors.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was decided" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions like "the committee decided", "they determined", or "we resolved" depending on the context and who made the decision.

What's a more formal alternative to "was decided"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was determined", "it was resolved", or "it was concluded".

When is it best to use the passive voice construction "was decided"?

The passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or you want to emphasize the action itself. For example, "The policy change "was decided" after extensive consultation".

Is "was decided on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was decided on" is grammatically correct. It's often used when specifying the basis or criteria for the decision. For example, "The color scheme "was decided on" based on market research".

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: