decided not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'decided not to' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone has made a conscious choice to not do something. For example: "I decided not to go to the party last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

decided not to foul.

The New York Times

But he decided not to.

The New York Times

(They eventually decided not to).

The New Yorker

I decided not to argue.

The New Yorker

I decided not to interfere.

The New Yorker

Prosecutors decided not to indict him.

The New York Times

So he decided not to invite him.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, Mr. Ford decided not to run.

The New York Times

Mr. Stringer decided not to contest them.

The New York Times

They decided not to tell Clarke.

Independent

Privately, she decided not to die.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decided not to" when you want to clearly state a conscious decision against a specific action. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the sentence clarifies what action was "decided not to" be taken. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the intended action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided not to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice or determination to avoid a particular action. As Ludwig highlights, it clearly states a conscious decision. It commonly precedes a verb, specifying the action that was intentionally avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decided not to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey a conscious choice to avoid a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from formal news reports to informal conversations. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" sources. Alternatives such as "opted against" or "chose not to" can be used to add nuance, although the original phrase remains a clear and widely understood option. When using "decided not to", ensure that the intended action is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chose not to

Highlights the element of choice in the decision.

Elected not to

Suggests a deliberate and considered decision.

Declined to

Implies a polite refusal to do something.

Opted against

Emphasizes a formal choice not to do something.

Refrained from

Indicates restraint and avoidance of an action.

Passed on

Suggests foregoing an opportunity or action.

Abstained from

Indicates a voluntary choice not to do something, often for moral or ethical reasons.

Avoided

To keep away from, to prevent doing something.

Bypassed

Means to avoid something.

Resisted the urge to

Emphasizes the struggle against a temptation.

FAQs

What does "decided not to" mean?

The phrase "decided not to" signifies a conscious choice or determination to avoid performing a specific action or task.

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

You can use "decided not to" to indicate that someone made a deliberate choice to avoid something. For example, "I "chose not to" go to the party because I was tired."

What are some alternatives to "decided not to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "opted against", "chose not to", or "refrained from" depending on the specific context.

Is "decided not to" formal or informal?

"Decided not to" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.