were decided for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were decided for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that decisions were made on behalf of someone or something else. Example: "The terms of the agreement were decided for the stakeholders by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Things were decided for her.

The New York Times - Books

They didn't have much and things were decided for them.

The Guardian - Arts

The module titles were decided for us, and often we had to make our practice fit into a paperwork mould.

The Guardian

She celebrated the fact that the vote "means that people can make their own choices they can decide on a lot of things that were decided for them".

The Guardian

In every important vote, all party members are required to vote as a bloc and to follow to the letter the directives that they agreed upon collectively or that were decided for them by the party leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Care home owners have mounted a legal challenge against Devon County Council over how payments were decided for looking after residents.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It has been decided for Mr. Morsi.

The New York Times

Everything is decided for them".

The New York Times

Chapman's immediate future "was decided for us," Baker added.

The New York Times - Sports

The teams are decided for the post-season.

The Guardian - Sport

No location has been decided for the May talks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were decided for" when you want to emphasize that external forces or authorities made decisions impacting the subject. This phrasing highlights a lack of autonomy or agency.

Common error

Avoid using "were decided for" excessively, as it can weaken your writing by obscuring who made the decisions. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The arrangements were decided for us", try "They decided the arrangements for us."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were decided for" functions as a passive construction indicating that decisions were made by an external entity impacting the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. For example, "Things were decided for her" illustrates this passive influence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were decided for" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that decisions were made on behalf of someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and encyclopedic entries, and serves to highlight a lack of agency or control. While acceptable, overuse can weaken writing; consider active voice alternatives for clarity. Related phrases include "were determined for" and "were chosen for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were determined for

Emphasizes the process of figuring out or establishing something, often through investigation or calculation, making it more formal.

were chosen for

Focuses on the act of selection from a set of options, suggesting a deliberate choice.

were designated for

Highlights the assignment or allocation of something for a specific purpose or role.

were established for

Stresses the creation or foundation of something for a particular reason or goal.

were set for

Implies a scheduled or predetermined arrangement, often related to time or conditions.

were planned for

Focuses on the preparation and arrangement of something in advance.

were arranged for

Highlights the organization or coordination of something, often involving multiple elements.

were dictated for

Emphasizes the authoritative or compulsory nature of the decisions, often by someone in power.

were mandated for

Focuses on the legal or official requirement for certain decisions or actions.

were prescribed for

Highlights the specific instructions or recommendations that must be followed.

FAQs

How can I use "were decided for" in a sentence?

You can use "were decided for" to indicate that choices or outcomes were determined by someone else on behalf of a subject. For example, "The terms of the contract were decided for the clients by the legal team."

What phrases are similar to "were decided for"?

Similar phrases include "were determined for", "were chosen for", or "were designated for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "were decided for"?

While "were decided for" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "They decided... for...") can make your writing more direct and clear. Choose the voice that best suits your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "were decided for" and "were decided by"?

"Were decided for" means that decisions were made on behalf of someone or something. "Were decided by" means that the decisions were made by someone or something. The preposition changes the meaning of the sentence.