decide to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a choice or determination to engage in work or a specific task. Example: "After much consideration, I have finally decided to work on my personal project this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the broad unanswered question here is why it would be bad if some working-class Americans decide to work less.

The Economist

Why did you decide to work for your dad?

The New York Times

Q: Can an agency ignore the shutdown, or can employees decide to work voluntarily?

The New York Times

It's part of the deal you make when you decide to work for yourself.

The New York Times

"If they decide to work with us, we can all have a happy holiday".

The New York Times

In India if women decide to work together democratically they can get something done.

The New York Times

Why did you decide to work with this particular "he" and "she"?

The New York Times

I let the students decide to work in a group or individually.

The New York Times

"If we decide to work together, we can change the world.

Independent

There are many reasons potential draft choices decide to work out.

The New York Times - Sports

City officials warned striking drivers not to harass those who decide to work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decide to work", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of work being referred to. Be specific when possible, such as "decide to work freelance" or "decide to work overtime", to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "decide to work" in excessively general contexts where the specific type of work is unclear. Instead, clarify the nature of the work if it's essential to the meaning. For example, instead of saying "I decided to work", specify "I decided to work on the project proposal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide to work" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, where 'decide' is the main verb expressing the act of making a choice, and 'to work' is the infinitive indicating the action being chosen. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decide to work" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express the intention or choice to engage in work. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in news, science, and general contexts. When using "decide to work", ensure clarity by specifying the type of work when necessary. Alternatives like "choose to work" or "opt to work" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. It's important to note that "decide to working" is grammatically incorrect. This phrase is therefore a reliable and flexible option for conveying decisions related to employment and effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose to labor

Replaces "decide" with "choose" and "work" with "labor", implying a more formal tone and emphasis on effort.

opt to be employed

Substitutes "decide" with "opt" and "work" with "be employed", suggesting a formal selection of being in a working state.

determine to seek work

Changes "decide" to "determine" and "work" to "seek work", focusing on actively looking for employment.

resolve to undertake employment

Replaces "decide" with "resolve" and "work" with "undertake employment", conveying a more determined approach to finding or starting a job.

commit to engaging in labor

Replaces "decide" with "commit" and "work" with "engaging in labor", indicating a strong dedication to performing work.

elect to perform duties

Substitutes "decide" with "elect" and "work" with "perform duties", implying a formal selection of carrying out responsibilities.

purpose to exert effort

Changes "decide" to "purpose" and "work" to "exert effort", focusing on intending to apply energy to a task.

take up a profession

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on starting a career or occupation.

embark on a career

This alternative suggests beginning a longer-term employment path, adding a sense of adventure or commitment.

pursue a vocation

This focuses on actively trying to obtain work that aligns with personal interests or skills.

FAQs

How can I use "decide to work" in a sentence?

You can use "decide to work" to express a choice or determination to engage in work or a specific task. For instance, "After much deliberation, I "decide to work" on my personal project this weekend".

What are some alternatives to "decide to work"?

Alternatives include "choose to work", "opt to work", or "resolve to undertake employment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decide to working" grammatically correct instead of "decide to work"?

No, "decide to working" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "decide to work", as "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.

What is the difference between "decide to work" and "decide on working"?

"Decide to work" implies making a choice to engage in work, while "decide on working" suggests choosing a specific type or method of working. The former is more general, while the latter implies a more defined selection.