choose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'choose' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to select something from two or more possibilities. Example sentence: We had to choose between two different types of cake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can't choose our opponents.

The Guardian

But, as a private company – just like a comedian mulling over a rape joke, or a troll looking for a target for his anger – it could choose not to.

The Guardian

We are able to change the name on the ticket if you are unable to attend and choose to have another party attend in your place.

The Guardian

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each of Sandra's co-workers must effectively choose between atomised, competitive, neoliberal self-interest and some form of collective power and mutual support.

The Guardian - Film

It is possible to choose free-range over factory-produced eggs even in convenience stores; much harder to opt to pay a premium of a couple of pounds for a T-shirt that comes with ethical plus points.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has hand-picked 13 of the best value hotels and riads for you to choose from; prices start from £9 a night in the Tachfine, a friendly three-star with a roof terrace, to £70 at the five-star Le Meridien N'Fis.

The Guardian - Travel

"Like all good digital content brands, the Labor Herald will focus on collaborating with and engaging an audience on whatever device or platform they choose to use (it doesn't really matter whether it's email, website, video or social media).

The Guardian

Tillerson repeated his long-held view that renewable energy is not economical yet, adding, "We choose not to lose money on purpose".

The Guardian - Business

Salmond could choose a referendum date, introduce votes for 16- and 17-year-olds, and propose the question.

The Guardian

It seems an obvious thing, but it's one the company ignored for eight years, until the moment in 2014 when Libin was writing a presentation for his board and used the phrase "5% of our users choose to pay us", rather than "5% of our users pay us" as he had previously.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering options, use "choose between" or "choose from" to clearly indicate the selection process.

Common error

Avoid using "chose" (past tense of choose) when you mean to use "choose" (present tense or infinitive form). For example, "I will choose the red one" is correct, while "I will chose the red one" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "choose" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the action of selecting or deciding among options, as seen in Ludwig examples like, "If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you "choose"?" and "We can't "choose" our opponents."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Business

7%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "choose" is a versatile and frequently used verb, meaning to select or decide. It is considered grammatically correct and appropriate for use across various contexts, with a neutral register. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word sees common application across contexts such as News, Travel and Opinions. To enhance writing, remember to differentiate "choose" from its past tense form "chose" and to use "choose between" or "choose from" when presenting options. Alternatives such as "select" or "opt for" can be employed to add variety to your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opt for

Emphasizes making a deliberate decision in favor of something.

select

Highlights the action of picking something out from a larger group.

pick out

Suggests carefully choosing something.

decide on

Focuses on the decision-making process leading to a choice.

determine

Implies a more thoughtful and reasoned selection.

make a choice

Highlights the act of making a selection from alternatives.

go with

Suggests a more casual or intuitive selection.

settle on

Indicates a final decision after considering options.

elect

Specifically refers to choosing someone for an office or position.

prefer

Highlights having a liking for one thing more than another.

FAQs

How can I use "choose" in a sentence?

You can use "choose" to indicate selection, preference, or decision. For instance, "I choose to believe in you", "You can "choose between" tea or coffee", or "Did you "choose to" study medicine?"

What can I say instead of "choose"?

You can use alternatives like "select", "opt for", or "pick out" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "choose" and "chose"?

"Choose" is the present tense form of the verb, while "chose" is the past tense. For example, "I choose to go now" (present), versus "I chose to go yesterday" (past).

Is it correct to say "I'm choosing"?

Yes, "I'm choosing" is the present continuous form of "choose" and is grammatically correct. It indicates an action that is currently in progress.