decide upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide upon" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means to make a decision or choose something. Example: We need to decide upon a date for the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But books are for us to personally decide upon.

The Guardian

Otherwise, the IS would decide upon this radius.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This was one of the toughest comparisons to decide upon.

TechCrunch

Spend the time to decide upon an actual training plan.

Forbes

That may take months to hear, research and decide upon.

HuffPost

Decide upon your needs.

WikiHow

Decide upon the viewpoint.

WikiHow

Decide upon a design.

WikiHow

Decide upon your method.

WikiHow

Decide upon warming.

WikiHow

Decide upon a title.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decide upon" when you want to emphasize a careful or considered decision, especially after evaluating multiple options.

Common error

While "decide on" is also correct, "decide upon" can add a slightly more formal tone. However, avoid using "upon" unnecessarily if "on" sounds more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide upon" functions as a phrasal verb, signifying the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion after considering various options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently encountered in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

52%

News & Media

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decide upon" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrasal verb that signifies making a choice after careful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various domains. While often interchangeable with "decide on", "decide upon" carries a slightly more formal tone. As shown in the provided examples, this construction commonly appears in Wiki articles, news reports, and scientific publications. When writing, it's useful to consider "make a decision on", "choose", or "determine" as potential alternatives. The expert rating underscores its strong grammatical standing, source authority, and consistent application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a decision on

Uses "make a decision" instead of "decide" and "on" instead of "upon".

choose

A more concise single-word alternative.

determine

Implies a more formal or definitive decision.

settle on

Suggests reaching a conclusion after considering options.

opt for

Emphasizes the act of selecting one option from several.

resolve

Highlights the act of finding a solution or making a firm decision.

reach a verdict on

Suggests a formal or legal decision-making process.

come to a conclusion about

A longer, more descriptive way of expressing the decision-making process.

make up your mind about

Focuses on the mental process of deciding.

conclude

Emphasizes the finality of the decision.

FAQs

How do I use "decide upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "decide upon" is a phrasal verb that means to choose something after considering different options. For example: "We need to decide upon a location for the conference."

What's the difference between "decide on" and "decide upon"?

While both phrases are correct and often interchangeable, "decide upon" can sound slightly more formal or emphasize a more careful consideration. The phrase "decide on" is usually more common in everyday speech.

What can I say instead of "decide upon"?

You can use alternatives like "choose", "determine", or "settle on" depending on the context.

Is "deciding upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "deciding upon" is the present participle form of the phrasal verb, and it is grammatically correct. For example: "They are still deciding upon the best course of action."