decide not to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide not to go" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a choice or decision to refrain from attending an event or going to a place. Example: "After much consideration, I decided not to go to the party this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

And then you decide not to go ahead with it.

The New York Times

As it is, most of them face heavy cancellation fees if they decide not to go.

Independent

We decide not to go for ice cream and part, a little more broken.

The New Yorker

"I hope young athletes see that and decide not to go down that path".

The New York Times - Sports

If you decide not to go to the trouble of ordering finnan haddie, make the recipe with fresh haddock.

The New York Times

"Because my family are driving me crazy this year so I decide not to go to Russia for holidays.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He decides not to go with it.

The New York Times

Today, Ms. Caddo decided not to go.

The New York Times

He got into Internet college and decided not to go.

The New Yorker

She decided not to go, and contacted Bharti.

The Guardian

Fonzi decided not to go inside the apartment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decide not to go", ensure the context clearly indicates the event or destination being forgone. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "decide not to go" in highly formal or academic writing without considering more sophisticated alternatives like "opt out of attending" or "decline to participate" to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide not to go" functions as a verb phrase expressing a choice or intention to refrain from attending or participating in a particular event or activity. Ludwig confirms this is correct. Examples show the phrase used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Lifestyle

20%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decide not to go" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the intention to abstain from attending an event or going to a specific place. As verified by Ludwig, its usage is diverse, spanning news media, lifestyle content, and business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the formality of the surrounding text and choose alternatives like "opt out of attending" or "decline to go" when a more sophisticated tone is required. When communicating about this decision, it's important to be clear about the event or location being skipped to ensure comprehension. The range of sources providing examples, from The New York Times to the BBC, confirms its widespread acceptability and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to go

Emphasizes the act of refusing an invitation or opportunity.

refrain from going

Focuses on self-restraint and avoidance of attending.

opt out of attending

Highlights the act of selecting an alternative to participation.

back out of going

Suggests withdrawing from a commitment to attend.

choose to abstain from going

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to refrain from attending.

elect not to participate

Highlights a formal or considered choice to not take part.

resolve to skip

Focuses on a firm decision to not attend a specific event.

determine to stay away

Suggests a conscious decision to avoid a place or event.

abandon plans to go

Highlights the cancellation of previous arrangements to attend.

forego the trip

Implies giving up the opportunity or plan to travel.

FAQs

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

You can use "decide not to go" to express a choice to avoid attending something. For example, "After considering the risks, I "decide not to go" to the concert."

What are some alternatives to "decide not to go"?

Alternatives include "choose not to attend", "opt out of going", or "decline to go", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "decide not to go" or "decide against going"?

"Decide not to go" and "decide against going" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Decide not to go" is a more direct statement of intention, while "decide against going" implies a more considered decision, weighing pros and cons.

What's the difference between "deciding not to go" and "decided not to go"?

"Deciding not to go" is a continuous or ongoing decision, while "decided not to go" indicates a completed decision made in the past. For example, "I am still deciding not to go" versus "I decided not to go yesterday".