freedom to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

"freedom to decide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the ability to make a choice without external influence or pressure. For example, "I'm grateful for the freedom to decide my own future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Freedom is information, freedom to decide myself".

Independent

American viewers should have the freedom to decide for themselves.

The New York Times

She said she preferred self-censorship, and the freedom to decide for oneself.

The New York Times

"It is the freedom to decide what would work best in our area," he says.

The Guardian

Waters' virtue is that he allows the audience the freedom to decide where it stands.

The Guardian

Attacks like these are a direct interference with law schools' freedom to decide how to educate students.

The New York Times

"We believe that the Constitution gives us the freedom to decide who lives in our own home.

The New York Times

But banks have a lot of freedom to decide those risk weights themselves, which makes a mockery of the system.

The New York Times

It may be that complexity simply reveals disagreement, and this is what provides the freedom to decide 'politically'politically

The Guardian

The Senate bill would increase work requirements, but would give states more freedom to decide what counts as work.

The New York Times

On this theory, the individual confronts a range of possibilities with complete freedom to decide among them.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "freedom to decide" when emphasizing the absence of coercion or external control in the decision-making process. For instance, "Employees should have the freedom to decide their work hours."

Common error

Avoid using "freedom to decide" to justify actions that disregard the input or rights of others. Freedom to decide doesn't mean acting without considering consequences or collaborations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "freedom to decide" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the state of being free to make choices. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "freedom to decide" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the autonomy and lack of external constraint in decision-making. As Ludwig indicates, its usage spans across various contexts, most notably in news and media, emphasizing its relevance in discussions about individual rights, policy, and personal choices. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to use it appropriately, ensuring it doesn't justify actions that disregard the input or rights of others. Related phrases like "right to decide" and "autonomy to decide" offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase is considered to have a neutral register, suitable for a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right to decide

Focuses on the entitlement or legal permission to make a decision.

autonomy to decide

Emphasizes independence and self-governance in the decision-making process.

liberty to choose

Highlights the freedom and lack of constraint in selecting an option.

discretion to determine

Suggests the authority and judgment to settle or conclude something.

prerogative to judge

Implies an exclusive right or privilege to form an opinion or evaluation.

power to resolve

Highlights the capability and strength to settle a matter definitively.

scope to elect

Refers to the opportunity and range of options available for selection.

chance to influence

Suggests the ability to affect the outcome of a decision, but not necessarily make the final call.

option to consider

Focuses on the availability of alternatives, rather than the power to choose.

opportunity to weigh

Emphasizes the chance to evaluate different factors before reaching a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "freedom to decide" in a sentence?

You can use "freedom to decide" to emphasize the absence of external constraints on someone's ability to make a choice. For example, "The new policy gives employees the "freedom to decide" their own schedules."

What's a formal alternative to "freedom to decide"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "the right to determine", "the autonomy to choose", or "the discretion to decide" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "freedom of deciding" instead of "freedom to decide"?

While "freedom of deciding" might seem grammatically similar, ""freedom to decide"" is the idiomatic and more widely accepted phrasing. The infinitive form emphasizes the action of deciding.

What's the difference between "freedom to decide" and "opportunity to decide"?

"Freedom to decide" implies the power and right to make a choice without external interference. "Opportunity to decide" simply means there is a chance or occasion to make a decision, but not necessarily the power to do so freely.