was decided upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was decided upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that has been made after consideration or discussion. Example: "After much deliberation, it was decided upon that the project would move forward as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The precise level of punishment was decided upon by Duch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How the Kennedy name was decided upon is also mysterious.

The New York Times

Without doubt, the yellow was decided upon well before Mulberry sent the colour down the catwalk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We still don't know why this was decided upon, and by whom.

The Guardian - Opinion

The structure of this bonus plan was decided upon following extensive consultation with shareholders.

The Guardian - Business

A large rubber ball was decided upon because a kitchen chair would be too tacky.

The New Yorker

Finally, the Old Oscar (Montenegro, Ancho Reyes, Campari, chocolate bitters) was decided upon.

The New Yorker

But the way it was decided upon and communicated to them created alarm and mistrust.

The Economist

"When a change was decided upon, because of Gerald, I was really interested in talking to the people here.

The New York Times - Sports

It's only fair and apt that that should be the measure of their success.' So it was decided upon.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is because of a national perspective, which was decided upon at the beginning of the crisis," Gros said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was decided upon" when you want to emphasize that a decision was reached after some discussion or consideration. This passive construction can be useful when the actor making the decision is less important than the decision itself.

Common error

While "was decided upon" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing passive voice constructions, as it can make your writing sound less direct and less engaging. Consider using an active voice alternative if appropriate to make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was decided upon" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a decision has been made regarding a particular matter. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples, it's often used when the focus is on the decision itself rather than the actor making the decision. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was decided upon" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to indicate that a decision has been made. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific publications to more informal writings. When employing this phrase, consider its impact on the overall tone and flow of your writing, and be mindful of potentially overusing the passive voice. Consider alternative phrasing such as "was agreed upon" or "was determined" to inject variety into your writing, if suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was agreed upon

Replaces "decided" with "agreed", emphasizing consensus or mutual acceptance.

was determined

Substitutes "decided" with "determined", highlighting the process of investigation and establishing certainty.

was resolved

Uses "resolved" instead of "decided", suggesting the settling of a dispute or problem.

was chosen

Employs "chosen" to indicate a selection from multiple options.

was selected

Similar to "chosen", but may imply a more formal or deliberate selection process.

was settled on

Replaces "decided upon" with "settled on", suggesting a final agreement or conclusion.

was concluded

Uses "concluded" to indicate the termination of a deliberation process leading to a decision.

a decision was made

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the act of making a decision, instead of the specific decision itself. This is an active form instead of passive.

it was established

Indicates that something was confirmed or proven after some consideration.

the course of action was finalized

Focuses on the finalization of a plan or course of action.

FAQs

How is "was decided upon" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was decided upon" is used to indicate that a decision or choice has been made after deliberation. For example: "The location for the conference "was decided upon" after a vote".

What are some alternatives to "was decided upon"?

You can use phrases like "was agreed upon", "was determined", or "was chosen" as alternatives to "was decided upon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when expressing a decision?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. If the actor is important, use active voice (e.g., "The committee decided"). If the decision itself is more important, passive voice ("was decided upon") may be appropriate.

What's the difference between "was decided upon" and "was settled on"?

"Was decided upon" generally implies a more formal decision-making process, while "was settled on" suggests a more informal agreement or compromise. They are similar, but the context may favor one over the other.