decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a conclusion or resolution made after consideration. Example: "After much deliberation, she finally decided to accept the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise.

The Guardian - Business

I was in the room when he decided to vote for it.

The Guardian

"Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am accountable for the railways and the performance [over Christmas] was not acceptable so I have decided that I should not take my bonus this year," he told Sky News.

The Guardian

What got me onto this theory was reading that the shoe bomber, a Muslim convert named Richard Reid, had been described by someone who knew him well in England as 'very, very impressionable.' I had already decided that the man was a complete bozo.

The Economist

That is literally the only reason that I decided to watch this trailer.

The Guardian - Film

For the first time since the inception of the Prize, the judges decided to make a Special Martha Gellhorn Award to Jonathan Steele.

The Guardian

I decided AWS S3 would do, as you can store static files there cheaply and serve them over HTTP.

The Guardian

At the start of this year, he notes, both chambers of Congress passed budgets, and "had one side not decided to pursue a strategy of brinksmanship" they could have come together and figured it out.

The Guardian

That's when his favourite teacher, Matthew Burton, decided to try a trick from The King's Speech.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Narodnaya Volya, or "People's Will", was forced to close after two state distributors and a publishing house decided to cancel their contracts, citing different reasons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decided", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the decision and the basis for it. Strong verbs often improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid stating that someone "decided" without providing any context or explanation for the decision. Always provide at least some justification or rationale for the decision made.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decided" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "decide". It can also function as an adjective, indicating a state of resolution or determination. Ludwig shows examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decided" functions primarily as the past tense of the verb "decide" and occasionally as an adjective meaning resolute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, predominantly within news and media. When using "decided", ensure clarity by providing context to the decision-making process and consider stronger alternatives like "resolved" or "determined" to enhance impact. Being a past tense verb, it's important to establish the context of when the decision was made, and by whom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved

Emphasizes firmness and determination in making a decision.

determined

Highlights the strength of will in reaching a decision.

made up one's mind

Suggests a finality and settled state of decision.

concluded

Focuses on the reasoning process leading to a decision.

opted

Implies choosing one option over others.

settled on

Suggests a decision reached after considering various options.

chose

A more general term for selecting a course of action.

agreed

Highlights a mutual decision among multiple parties.

came to the conclusion

Highlights the act of forming an opinion after consideration.

took the decision

This is a more formal expression of having decided.

FAQs

How can I use "decided" in a sentence?

You can use "decided" to indicate that someone has made a choice or reached a conclusion. For example, "After much thought, she "decided" to accept the job offer."

What are some alternatives to the word "decided"?

Alternatives to "decided" include "resolved", "determined", or "concluded". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have decided" or "I decided"?

Both "I have decided" and "I decided" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "I have decided" suggests that the decision was made recently and may still be relevant, while "I decided" simply states that a decision was made at some point in the past.

What's the difference between "decided" and "agreed"?

"Decided" implies making a choice or determination, while "agreed" implies a mutual understanding or consensus. You "decide" something individually, but you "agree" with someone else.