gets to choose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gets to choose' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that someone has been given the ability to make a choice. For example: After the coin toss, John got to choose which side he wanted to play on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The winner gets to choose the charity.

The New York Times

The player gets to choose the swimwear.

The New York Times

"It only gets to choose what side it is on.

The New York Times

"The employer gets to choose what is offered".

The New York Times

With rare exceptions, the court gets to choose the cases it wants to hear.

The New York Times

The featured reader gets to choose a special drink for discount.

The New York Times - Books

The one who does the driving gets to choose the tapes.

The New York Times - Travel

Thanks to Britain's archaic and philosophically peculiar union of church and state, Tony Blair gets to choose his successor.

The Economist

If more than one coach turns, the auditioner then gets to choose who his or her coach will be.

The New York Times

The writer however, never gets to choose the headline, or the art that goes with a piece.

The New York Times

"The audience gets to choose what they want to watch, and it's almost like putting our fate in their hands.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets to choose" when indicating someone has the opportunity or right to make a selection from available options. It implies a degree of privilege or entitlement.

Common error

While "gets to choose" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "is entitled to select" or "has the option to choose" in professional or academic writing to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets to choose" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or privilege to make a selection. Ludwig provides examples showing it used in various contexts, from selecting charities to choosing coaches in a competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets to choose" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that someone has the ability or privilege to make a selection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain professional or academic settings. Ludwig’s examples showcase the phrase's versatility, demonstrating its use in conveying agency and empowerment across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gets to decide

Replaces "choose" with "decide", focusing on the act of making a determination.

can make the selection

Focuses on the act of selecting from a set of options.

has the option to select

Emphasizes the availability of a choice, adding a layer of formality.

is entitled to pick

Highlights a right or privilege to choose, using the more informal term "pick".

is able to elect

Implies the power or ability to choose, often in a formal context.

is authorized to determine

Indicates official permission to make a choice or decision.

is empowered to opt for

Highlights the conferred power to choose a particular option.

is at liberty to appoint

Suggests freedom and authority in making a choice.

has the discretion to designate

Emphasizes the freedom to choose based on one's judgment.

holds the prerogative to name

Highlights an exclusive right or privilege to choose.

FAQs

How can I use "gets to choose" in a sentence?

Use "gets to choose" to indicate that someone has the ability or privilege to make a selection. For instance, "The winner "gets to choose" the charity to receive the donation."

What are some alternatives to "gets to choose"?

You can use alternatives like "gets to decide", "has the option to select", or "is entitled to pick" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "got to choose" instead of "gets to choose"?

"Got to choose" is grammatically correct but implies a past action, while ""gets to choose"" indicates a present ability or opportunity. So, it depends on the intended tense and context.

What is the difference between "gets to choose" and "has to choose"?

"Gets to choose" implies a privilege or opportunity, while "has to choose" indicates an obligation or necessity. The former suggests a positive or desired action, whereas the latter might imply a required action.