were decided on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were decided on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to decisions that have been made regarding a particular matter or issue. Example: "The terms of the agreement were decided on after several rounds of negotiation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These thresholds were decided on the basis of the number needed to treat to prevent one CHD event, the cost-effectiveness of treatment and, predominantly, the proportion of the population requiring treatment and the total cost of treatment [ 11].

Diabetologia

The other two were decided on Monday.

The New York Times

Interestingly, eight singles were decided on the 18th green in 1989 and last week.

The Guardian - Sport

"But if the election were decided on energy, Tom Suozzi would win it," Mr. Sheinkopf added.

The New York Times

At the Summer North American Championships in Washington, several major events were decided on Sunday evening.

The New York Times

SEATTLE — At the Fall Nationals here, two major events were decided on Monday.

The New York Times

Just two were decided on the first possession, and both were won on a field goal.

The New York Times - Sports

About a quarter of the justified cases were decided on by a grand jury of the public.

The Guardian

The previous three contests between the Giants and Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field were decided on the final play.

The New York Times - Sports

The last three major titles at the fourth European Open Championships in San Remo, Italy, were decided on Saturday afternoon.

The New York Times

Most of those contests were decided on local issues and did not much lend themselves to a Warner-style campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were decided on" when you want to emphasize that a decision was made after careful consideration of multiple factors or options. This implies a deliberate and thoughtful process.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The committee decided on the rules", consider "The rules "were decided on" by the committee" if the focus is on the rules themselves rather than the committee's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were decided on" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a decision has been made about something by an unspecified or previously mentioned agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

43%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were decided on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, indicating that a decision has been reached after deliberation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct for use in written English. It appears most often in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "were determined" and "were agreed upon", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "were decided on", ensure that it aligns with the emphasis you want to place on the decision itself rather than on the decision-maker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were determined

Replaces "decided" with a synonym emphasizing a more formal or definitive conclusion.

were agreed upon

Suggests a mutual agreement or consensus in the decision-making process.

were established

Emphasizes the creation or setting up of rules, standards, or facts.

were resolved

Focuses on settling a dispute or problem, implying a decision that brings closure.

were settled

Similar to "resolved", but can also refer to finalizing arrangements or agreements.

were chosen

Highlights the selection or preference of one option over others.

were selected

Similar to "chosen", but often implies a more careful or deliberate selection process.

were designated

Indicates an official assignment or appointment to a specific role or purpose.

were ruled on

Implies a formal judgment or legal decision made by an authority.

were concluded

Suggests that the decision came at the end of some process like arguments, discussions etc.

FAQs

How do I use "were decided on" in a sentence?

The phrase "were decided on" indicates that a decision has been made regarding something. For instance, "The terms of the contract "were decided on" after extensive negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "were decided on"?

You can use alternatives like "were determined", "were agreed upon", or "were established depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "decided on"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the focus. If the emphasis is on who made the decision, use active voice (e.g., "The committee decided on the location"). If the emphasis is on the decision itself, use passive voice (e.g., "The location "was decided on" by the committee").

What's the difference between "were decided on" and "were decided"?

"Were decided on" implies that a choice was made from several options or after considering various factors. "Were decided" is a more general statement indicating that decisions were made, without necessarily implying a selection process. For example: "The location "was decided on" after a poll vs. Important strategic issues "were decided" in the board meeting".