decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "decide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has reached a conclusion after careful consideration of the facts or alternatives. Example sentence: After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue a career in law.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in general women should be free to decide what to wear for themselves".

The Guardian

We may, we may not, decide that it's relevant to put something out there about some of those changes.

The Guardian

I don't know what I'm going to do, and maybe it's a mistake to decide now when I am in a euphoric state".

The Guardian - Film

Documents obtained under Right to Information (RTI) laws reveal that Carmody blindsided his colleagues with a public statement that he would decide who sat in the court of disputed returns (CDR) during a cliffhanger election result in February.

The Guardian

Students can also decide how they submit their work.

The Guardian

That means Germany, in particular, has to decide what guarantees it is prepared to give and what it wants to see in return.

The Guardian - Business

Lay down foreign policy objectives, decide what military resources are necessary and then allocate the financial resources necessary," he said.

The Guardian

At 48, Balls is still relatively young and now has to decide what to do with the rest of his career.

The Guardian

Earlier this week, Valls said the removal of a person's nationality "is a legitimate question that arises regarding the consequences to which a person exposes themselves when they decide to attack the nation to which they belong because they were born there or have been accepted there".

The Guardian

At the end of the police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether to bring charges.

The Guardian

"Freedom means that we decide about the laws governing our own life, we decide what is important and what isn't.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation when choosing synonyms for "decide". "Determine" and "resolve" are more formal, while "figure out" is more informal.

Common error

Avoid using "decide" without specifying the subject and object of the decision. For example, instead of saying "It was decided", specify who decided and what was decided: "The committee decided to postpone the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decide" is as a verb, indicating the action of making a choice or coming to a resolution. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it commonly introduces a clause expressing the result of deliberation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "decide" is a common and versatile verb used to express the act of making a choice or resolution. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates reaching a conclusion after careful consideration. Its usage spans various contexts, but is most prevalent in news and media. When using "decide", clarity is key; specify who is making the decision and what the options are to avoid ambiguity. While grammatically straightforward, choosing synonyms like "determine" or "resolve" can adjust the formality of your writing. Overall, "decide" is a reliable word for expressing the process of making choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a decision

Emphasizes the action of arriving at a conclusion or choice.

determine

Implies a more definitive and conclusive resolution.

resolve

Suggests a firm decision to settle a matter.

settle on

Indicates a choice made after considering alternatives.

opt for

Highlights the act of choosing one option over others.

conclude

Implies reaching a decision based on evidence or reasoning.

rule

Used when a formal decision is made, often in legal or official contexts.

elect

Specifies a choice made through a selection process.

judge

Indicates making an assessment or evaluation leading to a decision.

figure out

Implies a process of thinking and problem-solving to reach a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "decide" in a sentence?

You can use "decide" to indicate making a choice or resolution. For example: "I need to "make a decision" about my career path" or "The judge will "rule" on the case tomorrow".

What's the difference between "decide" and "determine"?

"Decide" generally implies making a choice, while "determine" suggests establishing something definitively. You might "decide" where to go for dinner, but you "determine" the outcome of an experiment.

What can I say instead of "decide"?

You can use alternatives like ""determine"", "resolve", "settle on", or "opt for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "decide on" or just "decide"?

Both "decide" and "decide on" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Decide" can be used alone to mean making a choice. "Decide on" specifies choosing something from a range of options. Example: "I "decide" to go" versus "I settle on the blue shirt".