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I'm looking for a single word (a noun) that indicates a decision that has not been made versus a decision that has been made... a single word for "pending decision" vs. "concluded decision".

To better understand why I'm asking, please consider the following verbs:

  1. "We need to make a decision" vs "We made a decision"
  2. "We need to decide" vs "We decided"

I'm looking for a single word replacement for decison-to-be-made in the following: "This is the decision-to-be-made"

Many dictionaries define the noun decision as both a conclusion that has been reached and as a process for deciding. For me it's always troubling when a form of the word is used in the definition of the word.

John Reynolds
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    how about "pending" – George White Jun 15 '19 at 19:25
  • The decided decision is a "conclusion". – Hot Licks Jun 15 '19 at 19:28
  • Please provide a sample sentence where the word decision needs replacing by another. You may find the ambiguity of certain words in the English language unsatisfactory, but the rest of us get by all right. It seems worse in other languages — the Germans don't generally distinguish between rabbits and hares — but it's just psychology. – David Jun 15 '19 at 21:13
  • Your example seems to be looking for a verb (to replace need to decide). I had been going to suggest "We pondered. vs "We decided." However, you earlier say that you are looking for a noun. Which is it? – Jason Bassford Jun 15 '19 at 21:27
  • Thanks Jason and David - really looking for a noun. I'm wanting to replace decision-to-be-made with a single word: "This is the decision-to-be-made" vs "This is the decision". – John Reynolds Jun 15 '19 at 22:19
  • This is about to turn into the weirdest comment that I have left in quite some time, but I would like to humbly submit that Germans do generally distinguish between rabbits and hares. And it's not just psychology, it's actually two completely different words that mean two completely different things. Ein Hase ist kein Kaninchen, und das weiß jedes Kind. It seems worse in English — they don't generally distinguish between turtles and tortoises — and it's not just psychology, even experts in casual conversation get them mixed up. – RegDwigнt Jun 15 '19 at 22:41
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    Before the decision is made, it is a proposal. – Lawrence Jun 16 '19 at 04:55
  • I agree with Lawrence. Note, in UK English, I believe you can use table as a synonym for propose (verb): "This is what has been tabled." Careful, table has a different meaning in US English. But in US English, you can say, "This is what's on the table." Also: "This is what's under consideration," "This is what's pending," "This is what's pending." – aparente001 Jun 16 '19 at 06:51
  • Thanks for your suggestion Lawrence. Proposal is certainly close, but often times a group has to decide between many proposals. "We need to decide which proposal to pick" – John Reynolds Jun 16 '19 at 17:54
  • How about: "That proposal is still undecided? – Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_ Jun 17 '19 at 22:59

2 Answers2

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Based on the comments, there isn't a single word for a decision that has not been made yet.

The two word phrase "Pending decision" conveys the meaning of "decision that hasn't been made".

The two word phrase "Concluded decision" conveys the meaning of "decision that has been made.

John Reynolds
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I'd use idea (or one of its synonyms).

An idea is a plan, suggestion, or possible course of action.
Collins

For example, here it is used in contrast to decision:

Laurel
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