why it was decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "why it was decided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the reasoning or rationale behind a particular decision that was made. Example: "In the meeting, we discussed why it was decided to change the project timeline to better accommodate our resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This paper explains why it was decided to adopt the policy.

Energy Economics

Maryland officials and the Renaissance spokesman declined to say why it was decided they did not owe the money.

The Guardian

The American people deserve to know who knew what when, and why it was decided to go to war anyway.

The New York Times

Maybe it's why it was decided that he should share the stage with party loyalists dressed in patriotic woolly jumpers of RAF blue emblazoned with Union flags.

Independent

That was why it was decided to conduct the trials of those involved in the Mu-Ma case in other cities.

The Economist

"There was no way it could be sailed up river to the lake as the Nile is dammed, so that is why it was decided to put it on a low loader.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Perhaps that's part of the reason why it's decided to develop Axonix as more of a standalone entity.

TechCrunch

Indeed, U.K. carrier O2 calculates there are now more than 100 million unused phone chargers languishing in Brits' drawers — which is why it says it's decided to sell a smartphone without a charger in the box.

TechCrunch

"I don't know why it has been decided this couldn't happen, but I think it is a really bad decision".

BBC

The reason why it had been decided that the intervention would be disseminated to the women in the non-intervention arm in the first place was aimed at ensuring that those women also benefitted directly from the intervention.

BMC Medical Ethics

My astronomer and my acupuncturist offered inharmonious reasons as to why it was happening, so I decided to believe in the seven-year body-regeneration cycle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "why it was decided", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the decision to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "why the committee decided" rather than just "why it was decided".

Common error

Avoid using "why it was decided" in contexts where the decision-maker is unclear. Without a specified subject, the phrase can sound vague and impersonal. Always clarify who made the decision for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "why it was decided" functions as a causal connector, introducing a clause that explains the reasons or motivations behind a particular decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "why it was decided" serves as a causal connector, offering explanations or justifications for past decisions. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, across diverse sources like news outlets and scientific journals. While the phrase itself maintains a neutral tone, clarity is crucial: specify who made the decision to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "reasons for the decision" or "rationale behind the decision" can offer a more formal tone when needed. Therefore, use "why it was decided" to clearly convey the reasoning behind choices, ensuring your context provides clarity about the decision-maker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why the decision was made

Rephrases the query with a slight change in word order.

reasons for the decision

Focuses on the reasons, omitting the specific act of deciding.

rationale behind the decision

Emphasizes the logical basis of the decision.

basis for the decision

Highlights the foundation or support for the decision.

justification for the decision

Focuses on defending the decision with reasoning.

explanation for the decision

Seeks to clarify the reasons that led to the decision.

what motivated the decision

Highlights the driving forces behind the decision.

the thinking behind the decision

Focuses on the thought process involved in making the decision.

the considerations for the decision

Emphasizes the factors taken into account before deciding.

the purpose of the decision

Focuses on what the decision was intended to achieve.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask about "why it was decided"?

For a more formal tone, you can ask about the "reasons for the decision" or the "rationale behind the decision".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "why it was decided"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "why it was decided" can sound awkward. Consider rephrasing the sentence to improve flow and clarity.

What's the difference between "why it was decided" and "how it was decided"?

"Why it was decided" focuses on the reasons or motivations behind a decision, while "how it was decided" explores the process or method used to reach the decision.

Can "why it was decided" be used in questions?

Yes, "why it was decided" can be used in questions, such as "Do you know "why it was decided" to change the plan?". In this case, it follows the structure of an indirect question.