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Index D
- dangling modifiers
- Dano-
- Dari
- Dari Persian
- data
- date: order of elements (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- daylight saving time
- daylight time
- de-
- De Beaujeu
- decided
- decidedly
- decimate
- decimation
- decision
- decision making
- decision-making
- decision taking
- decision-taking
- decisive
- decisively
- default on
- defective
- defence
- defend against
- defend from
- defense
- defensive
- deficient
- definite
- definite article with initialisms
- definitely
- definitive
- definitively
- de luxe
- deluxe
- delve into
- demi-
- demonstrative adjectives
- demonstrative pronouns
- demonyms in Canada
- depart
- depart for
- depart from
- dependant
- dependent
- deprecate
- depreciate
- deprive of
- Deputy Governor General
- derivation of
- derive from
- describe
- description
- desert
- designate as
- dessert
- di-
- dia-
- diagonally opposite
- dialyse
- dialyze
- didn’t use to
- different
- different from
- different than
- different to
- differ from
- differ in
- differ with
- dilemma
- directly
- direct object
- dis-
- disagree
- disagree about
- disagree on
- disagree over
- disagree with
- disassociate from
- disc
- discouraged about
- discouraged at
- discouraged by
- discouraged over
- discourage from
- discreet
- discrete
- disingenuous
- disinterested
- disk
- disorient
- dispense from
- dispense to
- dispense with
- dissatisfied
- dissociate from
- distinctive
- divest of
- divide in
- divide in half
- divide into
- divide in two
- Dominion Day
- doubt but that
- doubt that
- downward tumble
- Dr.
- due to
- during such time
- during the time that
- dyeing
- dying
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decided, decidedly, decisive, decisively
When referring to things, decided means unquestionable; and when referring to people, it means free from doubt, and thus resolute or determined.
- That plan is a decided mistake, and I am sure Clarence will regret it.
- Susannah is a very decided person and almost always gets what she wants.
In contrast, decisive refers to quick, efficient decision making and to people capable of making such decisions.
- Elena is a decisive shopper who always succeeds in making excellent purchases in just a few moments.
Decisive also conveys the idea that something is conclusive, as in a decisive advantage, a decisive event or moment, or a decisive victory.
- The Battle of Midway was a decisive victory for the Allies; it turned the tide of the Pacific War.
In general, decidedly is a synonym for undoubtedly or definitely.
- That is decidedly the best wine I have tasted all year!
Decisively is an equivalent for resolutely.
- The lone forward ran decisively toward his target, ignoring the crowd’s jeers and his teammates’ cries.
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