decide for

USAGE SUMMARY

"decide for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to make a decision on their own. For example, "Take your time and decide for yourself which college you want to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Decide for yourselves.

Independent

Each must decide for himself.

The New York Times - Sports

You decide for yourself!

Stanford University

Read and decide for yourself.

The New York Times

Readers can decide for themselves.

The New Yorker

Let them decide for themselves.

The New Yorker

Go and decide for yourself.

Independent

Well, decide for yourself.

The Guardian - Opinion

YOU decide for yourself".

The Guardian

Decide for Yourself.

The New York Times

Everyone will have to decide for themselves".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decide for" to empower individuals to make their own choices, rather than imposing decisions on them. This encourages autonomy and personal responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "decide for" when the context requires guidance or a recommendation. Overusing it can create ambiguity or a sense of abandonment in situations where support is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide for" functions as an imperative construction used to encourage or prompt someone to make a decision or form an opinion independently. It directly involves the listener in the decision-making process, as Ludwig highlights in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decide for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that empowers individuals to make autonomous decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it encourages independent thinking and personal judgment. The expert analysis indicates high source quality and consistent usage, reinforcing its validity as a valuable tool for promoting self-determination. Consider empowering people by using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose for yourself

Focuses on the act of selecting from available options based on personal preference.

make a decision for

Emphasizes the act of making a choice, focusing on the decision-making process.

judge for yourself

Emphasizes the act of forming an opinion or making an assessment based on personal criteria.

determine for oneself

Highlights personal judgment and individual determination in reaching a conclusion.

reach your own conclusion

Highlights the process of arriving at a judgment based on personal analysis.

form your own opinion

Emphasizes the development of a personal viewpoint through independent thought.

assess for yourself

Stresses the importance of personal evaluation and critical thinking.

evaluate for oneself

Similar to 'assess for yourself', focusing on the act of personal evaluation.

resolve for oneself

Emphasizes the act of finding a solution or making a firm decision independently.

figure out for yourself

Focuses on the process of understanding or solving something through individual effort.

FAQs

How can I use "decide for" in a sentence?

You can use "decide for" to encourage someone to make their own choice, as in, "Read the arguments and "decide for" yourself what you believe."

What's a good alternative to "decide for yourself"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "make a decision for", "choose for yourself", or "determine for oneself".

Is it always appropriate to tell someone to "decide for" themselves?

While empowering, telling someone to ""decide for" themselves" might not be suitable in situations requiring guidance or expertise. Consider whether the person has enough information to make an informed decision.

What does it mean when someone tells me to "decide for" myself?

It typically means they are giving you the autonomy to make a choice based on your own judgment and preferences, rather than imposing their opinion or decision on you.