decides on whether to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decides on whether to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a choice or decision-making process regarding a specific action or option. Example: "The committee decides on whether to approve the new policy during their next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

While the opposition National Salvation Front decides on whether to boycott the referendum, a no campaign has been launched, writes the prominent blogger Zeinobia on Egypt Chronicles.

The Guardian

In contrast to the IOC, which did not contact McLaren, he said the International Paralympic Committee had been in close touch as it decides on whether to ban the Russian team.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite expectations of a quiet first anniversary, there could be fireworks in 2012 when Ramesh decides on whether to lift or continue the moratorium, a pointer to the road ahead for other GM food crops under trial in India – cabbage, cauliflower, corn, chickpea groundnut, mustard, okra, potato, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and tomato.

The Guardian

In a report published two days before the IAAF decides on whether to readmit Russia's track and field team to international competition in time for the Rio Olympics Wada also revealed that packages containing samples had been tampered with by Russian customs services and that a number of athletes had provided false information on their whereabouts and avoided drugs testers at competitions.

The Guardian - Sport

The worker decides on whether to accept it knowing the manager's training levels.

IZA Journal of Migration

Subsequent to spectrum sensing, measurements must be reported to the entity that decides on whether to grant opportunistic access or not.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Do some research on this before deciding on whether or not to use it.

WikiHow

In other news announced by Mr. Reilly here: Fox had yet to decide on whether to bring back its hit drama "House" for one more season.

The New York Times

Divided Britain to Decide on Whether to Leave the E.U.

The New York Times

The Vermont legislature reserved for itself the authority to decide on whether to issue the certificate.

The New York Times

And ultimately the rest of the world has to decide on whether to go on lending to the US.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decides on whether to", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is making the decision and what the potential options are. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "decides on whether to" in contexts where a simpler phrasing like "decides if" would suffice. Overly complex phrasing can make your writing sound less direct and more convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decides on whether to" functions as an infinitive phrase, often introducing a clause that specifies a decision-making process between two or more options. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decides on whether to" is a grammatically sound and usable infinitive phrase that indicates a decision-making process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although "decides if" can often be a more concise alternative, "decides on whether to" is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While it is not overly common, it is versatile enough for formal and informal settings, but be mindful of not overusing it to maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Opt to

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the act of opting for an option.

Chooses whether to

Substitutes "decides" with "chooses", emphasizing the selection aspect.

Consider whether to

Highlights the act of considering a choice, without implying a final decision.

Determines if

Replaces "decides on whether to" with a more concise phrase focusing on the act of determining.

Makes a decision about

Rephrases the action as "making a decision", which is a more general term.

Resolves whether to

Uses "resolves" to imply a more formal or definitive decision.

Rules on whether to

Implies a formal ruling or judgment on a particular course of action.

Elects whether to

Emphasizes the aspect of making an election.

Settles on whether to

Highlights the aspect of settling to a final decision.

Concludes if

Replaces "decides on whether to" with a phrase focusing on the act of concluding.

FAQs

How can I use "decides on whether to" in a sentence?

Use "decides on whether to" when you want to express that someone is in the process of making a choice between two options. For example, "The committee decides on whether to approve the funding."

What are some alternatives to "decides on whether to"?

You can use alternatives such as "determines if", "chooses whether to", or "considers whether to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "decides whether to" instead of "decides on whether to"?

Yes, "decides whether to" is a more concise and equally correct alternative. The addition of "on" doesn't significantly alter the meaning but can sometimes make the phrasing slightly more verbose.

What's the difference between "decides if" and "decides on whether to"?

"Decides if" is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea as "decides on whether to". While both are grammatically sound, "decides if" often improves conciseness.