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Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

Decision was not made lightly meaning
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decision was not made lightly" is a correct and usable form of English
It is often used to express that a decision was carefully considered before being made. For example, "After a month of deliberation, the board finally reached its conclusion that the building should be repurposed. The decision was not made lightly, but it was the best choice for the future of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He emphasized that the decision was not made lightly.

News & Media

The New York Times

The university's decision was not made lightly.

News & Media

The New York Times

"After an extensive workshopping process over the last 18 months, the decision was not made lightly".

News & Media

The New York Times

However, the change altered power structures and the decision was not made lightly.

Science

Environmental Health Perspectives

"These difficult decisions were not made lightly.

News & Media

The New York Times

Even so, she said her decisions were not made lightly.

News & Media

The New York Times

Such decisions are not made lightly, and not without debate, especially in an aging society.

News & Media

The New York Times

The decision to do so was not made lightly.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

But the decision to implement the policy was not made lightly.

Academia

University of Pennsylvania

The NUT said the decision to take strike action was not made lightly.

News & Media

BBC

This decision clearly wasn't made lightly.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "decision was not made lightly" to convey the seriousness and careful consideration behind a particular choice, especially when communicating with stakeholders who might be affected by the decision.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "decision was not made lightly" in very casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday situations; opt for simpler language.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decision was not made lightly" functions as a commentary on a previous or forthcoming decision, adding emphasis to the thoughtfulness and gravity behind it. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Rare

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

⚠ Less common in

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decision was not made lightly" is used to emphasize that a choice was considered carefully and seriously. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct. While relatively rare in overall frequency, the phrase appears mostly in News & Media and Science contexts. The expert rating considers the phrase to be reliable and grammatically sound, although it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings. Related phrases, like "decision was carefully considered" and "decision was not taken lightly", offer similar connotations. It’s generally accepted and appropriate for use in professional communications or when discussing significant choices.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decision was not taken lightly

A direct synonym, using "taken" instead of "made".

decision was carefully considered

Focuses on the careful thought process involved.

decision was thoughtfully made

Simple and direct way to emphasize consideration.

decision required careful thought

Focuses on the necessity of careful consideration.

decision was reached after much deliberation

Highlights the extensive discussion and debate.

decision involved serious consideration

Emphasizes the gravity and importance of the thought process.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says a decision "was not made lightly"?

It means the decision was carefully considered and involved significant thought and deliberation. It wasn't a quick or impulsive choice.

How can I use "decision was not made lightly" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize the seriousness of a choice, for example: "The board's decision to close the plant "was not made lightly", but it was necessary for the company's survival."

What are some alternatives to saying "decision was not made lightly"?

You could say the "decision was carefully considered", the "decision involved serious consideration", or the "decision was reached after much deliberation".

Is "decision was not taken lightly" the same as "decision was not made lightly"?

Yes, they are essentially interchangeable. Both phrases convey the same meaning: that the decision was carefully considered.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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Decision was not made lightly meaningGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

Decision was not made lightly meaning
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples