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Preposition before noun

Of decision or in decision?

English does not normally use of decision or in decision as fixed combinations. Other patterns such as decision on, decision about, and indecision are more natural.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Neither of decision nor in decision is a common fixed expression before the noun decision. Use phrases such as decision on something, decision about something, or make a decision. Note that indecision is a different word meaning inability to decide.

The committee made a decision on the proposal.
We are waiting for a decision about funding.
Her indecision delayed the project.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
decision on + topic

Talking about the subject of a decision

Use on to introduce the issue being decided.

The board reached a decision on the merger.
We expect a decision on the budget soon.
2
decision about + topic

Referring to a matter under consideration

About is also common when discussing what the decision concerns.

She made a decision about her career.
They are arguing over a decision about staffing.
3
make a decision

Expressing the act of deciding

Make a decision is the standard verb phrase.

It took weeks to make a decision.
The judge will make a decision tomorrow.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of decision
The moment of decision finally arrived.
Possible only as part of a larger phrase such as moment of decision, not as a general pattern before decision.
in decision
The phrase in decision is not standard for talking about choices.
English normally uses indecision or another structure instead.
indecision
His indecision frustrated the team.
A separate noun meaning inability to decide.
decision on
The minister announced a decision on taxes.
Standard way to introduce the topic of a decision.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in decision instead of indecision

Indecision is one word with a different meaning.

✕ Her in decision caused delays. ✓ Her indecision caused delays.

Using of decision as a general pattern

English usually uses decision on, decision about, or decision regarding.

✕ We discussed the of decision process. ✓ We discussed the decision-making process.

Missing the article before decision

Decision often needs an article in singular countable use.

✕ They made decision yesterday. ✓ They made a decision yesterday.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The committee reached a decision ___ the new policy.
2. Her ___ made the meeting longer.
3. It is hard to make a ___.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in decision ever correct?

Not usually. English uses indecision as a single word instead.

Can of decision appear in English?

Yes, but only inside larger phrases such as moment of decision or power of decision.

Which preposition commonly follows decision?

Common choices include on, about, regarding, and over, depending on context.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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