reach a decision

Meaning

This phrase means to arrive at a final choice, judgment, or resolution after a period of discussion, thought, or debate. It often implies that the process required some effort, negotiation, or careful consideration. It is a neutral collocation suitable for both casual and formal situations.

Examples

• After debating for over three hours, the committee finally reached a decision.

  After debating for over three hours, the committee finally reached a decision.

• We need to gather more information before we can reach a decision.

  We need to gather more information before we can reach a decision.

• It took them a long time to reach a decision about which car to buy.

  It took them a long time to reach a decision about which car to buy.

• The jury has retired to consider the evidence and reach a decision.

  The jury has retired to consider the evidence and reach a decision.

• I hope we can reach a decision today so we can move forward with the plan.

  I hope we can reach a decision today so we can move forward with the plan.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We finally arrived to a decision.

  ✓ We finally reached a decision.

  The correct prepositions are 'arrive at' or simply 'reach' (no preposition).

• ✗ They made a reach of decision yesterday.

  ✓ They reached a decision yesterday.

  Use 'reach' as a verb directly with 'decision', or use the phrase 'make a decision'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The board of directors will meet tomorrow to ___ on the merger.

  💡 Arrive at a final choice or resolution.

  Show answer

  reach a decision

• Take your time; there is no need to rush to ___.

  💡 Make a final choice after careful thought.

  Show answer

  reach a decision