How to use "a unilateral decision"

What Does "a unilateral decision" Mean?

• The expression "a unilateral decision" describes a decision made by one person or group without seeking the agreement or consent of others who may be affected by it.
• The meaning is compositional. "Unilateral" means "relating to or affecting one side of something," and "decision" means "a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration."
• The register is neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

How to Use It

• The grammatical pattern is adjective + noun.
• The typical verb used with this phrase is "make," "take," or "announce." It can also be used passively, as in "was a unilateral decision."
• The components cannot be separated. The adjective "unilateral" directly modifies the noun "decision."
• It sounds unnatural to use a verb that doesn't typically denote the act of making a decision, such as "eat a unilateral decision," or to use an unrelated preposition.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from a unilateral decision on Ludwig.guru.

"This is not the time for a unilateral decision." — The New York Times - Arts

"So I took a unilateral decision to stop"." — The Guardian - Music

"It's awful that your wife has made a unilateral decision for celibacy, but if you make a unilateral decision to get sex elsewhere, it's likely to finish off your marriage." — The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Daniel Bernard, the French ambassador to London, said he thought such a unilateral decision by Britain would violate European conventions." — The New York Times

"The government made a unilateral decision to put him on a plane and send him away from the court," Judge Sullivan said." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+unilateral+decision

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
independent decision	Emphasizes autonomy and freedom from external influence.
autocratic decision	Implies a decision made by a single ruler or authority with absolute power.
arbitrary decision	Suggests a decision based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason.
personal decision	Focuses on the individual nature of the decision.
solitary decision	Highlights the isolation of the decision-maker.
decision made in isolation	Emphasizes the lack of consultation with others.
go-it-alone decision	Implies a deliberate choice to act independently, often against advice.

Common Mistakes

• Learners might incorrectly use a synonym of 'unilateral' that doesn't typically collocate with 'decision', such as saying "a one-sided decision" instead of "a unilateral decision," although the meaning is similar. While understandable, it's not the established collocation.
• Another error is misplacing the adjective after the noun, resulting in phrases like "a decision unilateral," which is grammatically incorrect in standard English.
• Using incorrect verbs, such as "hear a unilateral decision," instead of "make a unilateral decision" is another common mistake.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
a unilateral decision	A decision made by one party without consulting others.	Adjective + Noun	Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in "a unilateral decision" be separated?

No, the components of "a unilateral decision" should not be separated. The adjective "unilateral" directly modifies the noun "decision," and disrupting this order makes the phrase grammatically incorrect.

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What's the difference between "a unilateral decision" and "an independent decision"?

While both phrases suggest a decision made without external influence, "a unilateral decision" emphasizes the lack of consultation with others. "An independent decision" focuses more on the freedom from control or influence in the decision-making process.

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What's a common mistake people make when using "a unilateral decision," and how can I correct it?

A common mistake is using a synonym of "unilateral" that doesn't typically collocate with "decision," or misplacing the adjective. For example, saying "a one-sided decision" (while conveying a similar meaning) or "a decision unilateral" is incorrect. Instead, always use the established collocation "a unilateral decision."