will be decided by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be decided by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a decision will be made by a specific person or group in the future. Example: "The final outcome of the project will be decided by the board of directors next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answer will be decided by politics.

Independent

It will be decided by the people.

The Guardian

"It will be decided by security people".

The New York Times

The dispute in Germany will be decided by a judge.

The Economist

The winner will be decided by popular vote.

The Economist

The House will be decided by the toss-up seats.

The Economist

"The nature of the regime will be decided by elections.

The New York Times

"It will be decided by the American people.

The New York Times

Super Bowls have been, will be, decided by less.

The New York Times - Sports

The matter will be decided by an S.E.C. administrative judge.

The New York Times

The amount of damages will be decided by another court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will be decided by", ensure the subject making the decision is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The outcome will be decided by votes", specify "The outcome will be decided by the voters".

Common error

A common mistake is using "will be decided by" without a clear subject performing the action. Avoid vague statements; always specify who or what is making the decision to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be decided by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a future decision or outcome is determined by a specific agent or factor. As Ludwig confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will be decided by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, with Ludwig confirming its validity. It serves to indicate that a future decision or outcome will be determined by a specific entity. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys a neutral to formal tone. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "will be determined by" or "depends on", adjusting for the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; ensure the decision-maker is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be determined by

Replaces 'decided' with 'determined', implying a more objective assessment rather than a subjective choice.

will depend on

A more general way of saying that the outcome is conditional on something else.

will be resolved by

Emphasizes the resolution of a conflict or issue, changing the focus from a simple decision to a problem-solving process.

will be settled by

Similar to 'resolved', but often implies a more formal or legal conclusion.

will be governed by

Suggests control or regulation by something, shifting the context from a single decision to ongoing management.

will rest with

Indicates that the responsibility or authority to decide lies with a particular person or group.

will hinge on

Indicates that the outcome depends critically on a particular factor, implying a higher degree of uncertainty.

will be adjudicated by

Implies a formal judgment or ruling, typically in a legal or official context.

is up to

An informal way of saying that someone has the authority or responsibility to make a decision.

will be influenced by

Suggests that something will affect the outcome without necessarily dictating it entirely.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "will be decided by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "will be determined by", "will be governed by", or "will be adjudicated by" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "will be decided by" and "depends on"?

"Will be decided by" indicates a direct decision-making process, while "depends on" suggests a conditional relationship where the outcome is contingent on certain factors. "Will be decided by" implies a more active choice, while "depends on" is more passive.

Is it grammatically correct to use "will be decided by"?

Yes, "will be decided by" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction indicating that a future decision will be made by a specified agent. It's a common and accepted phrase in English writing.

What are some alternatives to "will be decided by" for a less formal context?

In less formal contexts, you could use phrases like "is up to", "depends on", or "rests with". These options offer a more casual and conversational tone.