decide for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide for something" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when indicating a choice or preference for a particular option or course of action, but it is more natural to say "decide on something." Example: "After much consideration, I decided for the new marketing strategy."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"My kids have had to decide for themselves if something is funny".

The New York Times - Arts

Even though 9 million of these live in families with incomes greater than three times poverty level, or over roughly $60,000 per year, it always has been up to American consumers to decide for themselves if something is "affordable" or not.

Forbes

When you decide for or against something you are a determiner.

Huffington Post

Hmong Lee, 40, who moved to mainland France for 10 years before returning, decided to settle for something between the farm founded by his parents and the bustle of a European city.

The New York Times

You will have to decide for yourself if it is something you will want to read or watch.

Huffington Post

That's something you can decide for yourself," she continued.

The New York Times - Books

You can't as one country decide on something for the whole of Europe".

Huffington Post

"When you go to practice and you put something in or you decide to do something, for one guy, they don't take everything so personally.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a natural tendency when looking for savings to decide upon something that is noticeable but unimportant – the decision by the House of Lords to abandon vellum is a case in point.

The Guardian - Opinion

He calls in Cannon, the advertising man to decide something for him.

The New Yorker

"You get enough people who just decide to love something just for what it is, without being told and that can be a more powerful fan base than any fan base that you're trying to pay for.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and standard usage, consider replacing "decide for something" with the more conventional phrase "decide on something".

Common error

Avoid using "decide for" when "decide on" is more appropriate. While "decide for" can work in specific contexts like "decide for yourself", "decide on" is generally preferred when choosing among options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide for something" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of making a choice or determination. While grammatically valid, Ludwig AI indicates it is less common than alternatives such as "decide on something".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decide for something" is grammatically acceptable, although not the most common way to express the act of making a choice. As Ludwig AI points out, phrases like "decide on something" are generally preferred for clearer and more standard usage. While "decide for something" can be used, especially when followed by a reflexive pronoun (e.g., "decide for yourself"), it's important to be aware of its less conventional nature. When writing, consider opting for more common alternatives to ensure clarity and acceptance among a wider audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decide on something

Replaces "for" with the more common preposition "on", making the phrase sound more natural and standard.

opt for something

Uses the verb "opt" to indicate a choice, which is a more concise way of expressing the same idea.

choose something

Employs the simple verb "choose" instead of "decide for", offering a direct and clear alternative.

select something

Substitutes "decide" with "select", implying a more careful or deliberate choice.

settle on something

Replaces "decide" with "settle", suggesting an agreement or compromise in the decision-making process.

determine something

Uses "determine" to convey a sense of establishing or resolving something definitively.

resolve something

Implies a firm decision has been made, often after some deliberation or conflict.

make a decision about something

Rephrases the idea as "make a decision", which is a more explicit and common way to express the act of deciding.

reach a conclusion about something

Suggests a process of reasoning that leads to a final decision or judgment.

come to a decision on something

Implies a journey or process that leads to the act of deciding.

FAQs

What's a more common alternative to "decide for something"?

A more common and standard alternative is "decide on something". This phrasing is generally preferred in most contexts.

How do I use "decide on something" in a sentence?

You can use "decide on something" when referring to making a choice. Example: "After reviewing the options, they decided on the blue car."

Is "decide for something" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "decide for something" is less common and may sound awkward to some listeners. It's often better to use "decide on something".

When is it appropriate to use "decide for"?

The phrase "decide for" is most appropriate when it is followed by a reflexive pronoun, as in "decide for yourself". This implies that someone should make their own decision.