deciding upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"deciding upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase when you need to express a decision or a choice being made between two or more possibilities. For example, "After much deliberation, we decided upon the most suitable candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When deciding upon what value you're getting out of Facebook, consider the following: Are you enjoying it?

WikiHow

Ashworth, now the FA's technical director, is integral to deciding upon Hodgson's successor.

The Guardian - Sport

He should take care to be more deliberate in making assessments and deciding upon plans.

The New Yorker

When deciding upon the overall winner, the judges had no idea that hotlips was invented by a 12-year-old.

The Guardian

From Berlin to Oklahoma City, why has deciding upon the look and feel of memorials been a "gigantic problem"?

The New York Times

The FA confirmed they are "considering video evidence of the incident before deciding upon what course of action take".

The Guardian - Sport

By the very race whom it is now proposed to clothe with the power of deciding upon your political rights".

The New York Times

Deciding upon a legal career, he entered Lincoln's Inn and was called to the bar in 1876.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deciding upon and making something is hard.

TechCrunch

After all, deciding upon the transmitted information symbol is nothing but a class assignment task.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The average time of deciding upon patents in Japan is two years.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deciding upon", ensure that the context clearly indicates what options are being considered. For example, "After reviewing the proposals, the committee is deciding upon the best course of action."

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "upon" as it creates redundancy. For example, instead of saying "deciding upon on", simply use "deciding upon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deciding upon" functions as a gerund phrase followed by a preposition, typically acting as part of a verb phrase. It indicates the action of making a choice or judgment after consideration. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a valid and frequently used English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deciding upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses the act of making a decision or choice after careful consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English and its many examples show its versatility. While often interchangeable with "deciding on", "deciding upon" can convey a more formal or emphatic tone. When using this phrase, writers should ensure clarity in the context and avoid redundant usage of "on" after "upon". The phrase is found across diverse fields, including science, news, and formal business, demonstrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choosing

Focuses on the act of selection, omitting the prepositional emphasis of "upon".

selecting

Similar to choosing, but implies a more careful or deliberate selection process.

determining

Emphasizes the process of finding something out definitively, rather than just choosing.

settling on

Suggests a final decision has been reached, often after considering multiple options.

opting for

Highlights the active choice of one option over others.

resolving

Implies a firm decision, often to solve a problem or settle a dispute.

coming to a decision about

A more verbose way of expressing the same idea, adding emphasis to the decision-making process.

making a choice regarding

Similar to coming to a decision, but focuses more on the choice itself.

electing

Implies a formal or official selection, often involving a vote or other structured process.

concluding

Suggests that a decision is reached after a process of reasoning or investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "deciding upon" in a sentence?

You can use "deciding upon" when you want to express making a choice or judgment after considering available options. For example, "The board is currently deciding upon the next investment strategy".

What can I say instead of "deciding upon"?

You can use alternatives like "choosing", "selecting", or "determining" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "deciding on" or "deciding upon"?

"Deciding on" and "deciding upon" are often interchangeable, but "deciding upon" can sound more formal or emphatic. The choice often depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "deciding upon" and "deliberating upon"?

"Deciding upon" implies reaching a conclusion, while "deliberating upon" suggests a more extended period of discussion and consideration before a decision is made.