decide not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has chosen not to do something. For example, "He decided not to go out that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may well decide not to.

The Economist

It may decide not to.

The Guardian

You decide not to negotiate.

Harvard Business Review

Can we decide not to do it?

Harvard Business Review

They decide not to implement them.

The Guardian - Sport

Did he decide not to write again?

The Guardian

And insurers decide not to offer generous coverage.

Stanford University

What if I decide not to be tested?

Stanford University

They decide not to tell each other about their experiences.

The New Yorker

A future landlord could decide not to rent to him.

The New York Times

Moderates who might otherwise run for office decide not to.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decide not to" when you want to emphasize a conscious choice against a particular action or option. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is making the decision. Instead of "It was decided not to proceed", specify who made the decision: "The team decided not to proceed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide not to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a conscious choice to avoid or refrain from a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a grammatically sound way to express a negative decision, similar to examples found in diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decide not to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a conscious choice against performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. As evidenced by a large number of examples across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, it is an expression that is generally suitable for neutral contexts. Although some related phrases like "opt out of" or "refrain from" offer different nuances, "decide not to" is a versatile and direct way to communicate an intention to avoid a particular action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose not to

A more direct and general alternative, emphasizing the element of choice.

opt out of

Implies a conscious choice to withdraw from something previously considered or expected.

decline to

Indicates a polite refusal to do something requested or expected.

refrain from

Suggests a deliberate holding back or abstaining from an action, often due to rules or politeness.

reject the idea of

Implies a firm dismissal of a proposed action or plan.

pass on

An informal way of saying you are not interested in doing something.

abstain from

A more formal and often moralistic term for choosing not to do something, usually something considered pleasurable or tempting.

shun the action of

Suggests actively avoiding doing something, often due to strong dislike or disapproval.

give something a miss

British English; an informal way of saying you will not do something on a particular occasion.

waive the option to

Formally relinquish a right or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "decide not to" in a sentence?

You can use "decide not to" to indicate a conscious choice to avoid an action. For example, "After considering the risks, I "decide not to" invest in that company".

What are some alternatives to "decide not to"?

Alternatives include "choose not to", "opt out of", and "refrain from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "decide not to" and "choose not to"?

While similar, "decide not to" often implies a more specific deliberation, while "choose not to" can be a more general preference. Both are correct and usable.

When is it appropriate to use "decline to" instead of "decide not to"?

"Decline to" suggests a polite refusal and is best used when responding to a request or invitation. For example, "I "decline to" comment on the ongoing investigation", as opposed to "I "decide not to" go to the party".