we have decided

USAGE SUMMARY

'we have decided' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate a consensus, as in: "After discussing the matter, we have decided to postpone the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have decided.

The New York Times

Yet we have decided to move on.

The New York Times

We have decided to go all in.

The Economist

"We have decided to proceed," he said.

The New York Times

We have decided to look elsewhere".

Independent

We have decided to silence our guns.

The New Yorker

We have decided to challenge that.

The Washington Post

"We have decided to be prepared.

The Guardian

We have decided to go home.

The Guardian

"We have decided to divide and conquer".

The New York Times

We have decided to join the people".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have decided", ensure that the 'we' is clearly defined and understood by the audience. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity regarding who made the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "we have decided" if the decision was made by only one person. Instead, use "I have decided" or "the organization has decided" to accurately reflect the decision-making process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have decided" functions as a declarative statement expressing a collective decision. It conveys a sense of finality and resolution, indicating that a deliberation process has concluded and a course of action has been chosen. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have decided" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to declare a decision made by a group. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to inform an audience of a resolution or course of action. It maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various settings, with frequent usage in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases, such as "we've determined" or "we've resolved", offer subtle variations in meaning and formality. Remember to ensure the 'we' is clearly defined and understood to avoid ambiguity. Overall, this phrase effectively communicates a sense of closure and commitment to a chosen path.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've resolved

Uses a contraction for "we have", making it slightly more informal than the original phrase.

we made the decision

Emphasizes the action of making a decision.

we've determined

Emphasizes a process of investigation and reasoning leading to the decision.

we've decided upon

More formal and sometimes used when the decision involves a specific item or course of action.

it is our decision

Shifts the focus to the decision itself, rather than the act of deciding.

we've come to the conclusion

Highlights the endpoint of a thought process, often used in more formal settings.

our decision is

States the decision directly, often used when announcing the outcome.

we've opted

Implies a choice among multiple alternatives.

we've settled on

Suggests a final choice after considering different options, sometimes implying compromise.

we've reached a consensus

Emphasizes agreement among a group, highlighting collaborative decision-making.

FAQs

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

You can use "we have decided" to announce a decision made by a group, for example, "After careful consideration, "we have decided" to proceed with the project".

What phrases are similar to "we have decided"?

Similar phrases include "we determined", "we resolved", or "it is our decision", each carrying subtle differences in formality or emphasis.

Is it correct to say "we are deciding" instead of "we have decided"?

While "we are deciding" indicates an ongoing process, ""we have decided"" indicates a completed decision. The correct choice depends on whether the decision is still in progress or finalized.

What's the difference between "we decided" and "we have decided"?

"We decided" is simple past tense, while ""we have decided"" is present perfect. The present perfect can imply the decision's effects are still relevant, but in many contexts, they are interchangeable.