Decisions and Accountability: English Vocabulary List

responsible for one's actions and prepared to explain them

"You are accountable."

"The manager is accountable for the team's performance and she must explain any failures to the regional director at the quarterly review."

not based on reason but on chance or personal impulse, which is often unfair

"The decision is arbitrary."

"The teacher's grading seemed arbitrary because students with similar answers received very different scores and nobody understood the system."

possessing the right to do or have something because of having the required qualifications

"You are eligible."

"To be eligible for the scholarship students must have excellent grades and demonstrate financial need by submitting their family's tax returns."

(of a person) having difficulty making choices or decisions, often due to fear, lack of confidence, or overthinking

"I am indecisive."

"The indecisive shopper stood in the aisle for twenty minutes trying to choose between two similar products while other customers waited impatiently behind her."

more desirable or favored compared to other options

"Tea is preferable."

"It is preferable to arrive early for the interview rather than being late because first impressions are very important to employers."

unable to make a decision or form a definite opinion about a matter

"I am undecided."

"I am still undecided about which college to attend because both schools have excellent programs and I cannot choose between them."

to hate and have no respect for something or someone

"She despises people who tell obvious lies."

"She despises people who lie because she believes that honesty is the most important quality in any relationship."

to undertake an action, often involving risk or uncertainty

"Do not take a chance with your health."

"I decided to take a chance and apply for the job even though I lacked some experience."

to think about something very carefully before doing it

"You should think twice before deciding."

"I always think twice before making any major financial decision that could affect my future."

a feeling of much respect for and approval of someone or something

"The way she handled the crisis filled me with admiration."

"His daring and reckless bravery earned him the grudging admiration of even his fiercest and most bitter rivals in the sport."

the act or process of discussing something with a person or a group of people

"A doctor's consultation."

"The doctor scheduled a follow up consultation to discuss the results of the blood tests."

a problem or question that is confusing and needs a lot of skill or effort to solve or answer

"This is a conundrum."

"The unexpected budget cuts presented a serious conundrum for the non-profit organization's future operations."

a situation that is difficult because a choice must be made between two or more options that are equally important

"She faced a serious career dilemma recently"

"She faced a dilemma accept the job in another city or stay with her aging parents."

the power or authority of a court of law or an organization to make legal decisions and judgements

"This court has no jurisdiction here."

"The federal court claimed jurisdiction over the case because it involved multiple states."

an unreasonable opinion or judgment based on dislike felt for a person, group, etc., particularly because of their race, sex, etc.

"Education can reduce social prejudice effectively"

"Prejudice based on race or religion leads to discrimination and social injustice in society."

to think about something before making a decision

"Let me have a think about it."

"I need to have a think about this problem before I give you my final answer."

to give thought to a certain fact before making a decision

"We will take your idea into consideration."

"The judge will take all the evidence into consideration before making a final decision."

to be enjoyable and well-suited to a person's preference or interests

"Cooking is definitely my thing."

"Rock climbing isn't really my thing, but my brother absolutely loves doing it every weekend."

(of a person) able to make clear, firm decisions quickly, especially in challenging situations

"You need to be decisive."

"She was decisive and made up her mind quickly without second guessing herself which made her an effective leader during the crisis situation."

having a tendency to do something

"She is inclined to sleep."

"He is inclined to procrastinate when faced with difficult tasks."

reluctant to compromise or change one's attitude, belief, plan, etc.

"The rules are inflexible."

"The inflexible rules at the school did not allow any exceptions even for students with special circumstances and this caused a lot of frustration among parents."

(of a law court) to make an official decision

"The court will find him."

"The jury was asked to find whether the defendant was guilty or not."

to reverse, abolish, or invalidate something, especially a legal decision

"The court overturns the ruling."

"The judge decided to overturn the previous court's ruling because new evidence had come to light in the case."

to cause a person to dislike someone or something

"It will put him off."

"His arrogant attitude tends to put off potential clients and collaborators."

to change something such as a process, situation, etc. to be the opposite of what it was before

"Can you reverse the car into the garage?"

"The driver had to reverse the car out of the narrow driveway because there was no space to turn around."

to make an official decision about something

"The judge will rule."

"The Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the new law."

(particularly of a law court) to state that a previous decision is correct

"The court will uphold."

"The appellate court decided to uphold the original verdict due to insufficient evidence for appeal."

the action of starting to use a certain plan, name, method, or idea

"The adoption of the plan."

"The company's successful adoption of the new software improved overall efficiency."

a sum of money or other compensation granted by a court as the result of a legal judgment

"He got an award."

"The court ordered a substantial award for damages in the personal injury case."

the act of opposing or refusing to accept something one disapproves of or disagrees with

"They showed resistance to the plan."

"The citizens' strong resistance to the new policy ultimately led to its withdrawal by the government."

a decision made by someone with official power, particularly a judge

"The court's ruling was final and could not be appealed."

"The Supreme Court's ruling legalized same sex marriage across the entire country."

an opinion given or a decision made after much consideration

"The jury reached a verdict."

"After much deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty in the high-profile case."

to participate in an event or activity

"Let's partake in the feast."

"We were invited to partake in the traditional wedding ceremony, which involved many symbolic rituals."

to take responsibility for something and start to do it

"She will undertake a huge project."

"The scientist decided to undertake a dangerous expedition to study the effects of climate change in Antarctica."