have decided

USAGE SUMMARY

"have decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to express a past decision that still holds true in the present. Example: I have decided to quit my job and travel the world. In this example, the speaker made the decision to quit their job in the past, but it is still their current decision at the time of speaking. It can also be used in a sentence like, "We have decided to go with the blue color for the walls." This means that the decision to choose the blue color was made in the past, but it is still the current decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have decided.

The New York Times

Perhaps men have decided this".

Independent

They have decided to appeal.

The New York Times

London's gardeners have decided not.

Independent

"I have decided.

The New York Times

Some states have decided to act.

The New York Times

"Short people, I have decided, march.

The New Yorker

"The hysterical Blair haters have decided already.

Independent

Yet we have decided to move on.

The New York Times

We have decided to go all in.

The Economist

"We have decided to proceed," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have decided" to clearly indicate that a decision was made in the past and its effects are still relevant now. For example, "We have decided to postpone the meeting until next week".

Common error

Avoid using "have decided" when referring to future actions. Instead, use "will decide" or "are deciding" for future plans. For example, instead of "We have decided to launch the product next month", say "We will decide to launch the product next month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have decided" functions as a present perfect verb construction, indicating a completed action (deciding) with present relevance or consequence. This is supported by the many examples on Ludwig, indicating its common use to express current decisions stemming from past considerations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have decided" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a past decision with present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While versatile, it's essential to use the correct tense and avoid substituting it for future-oriented phrases. Common alternatives include "have determined", "have concluded", and "have opted". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various formal and informal settings. When using "have decided", make sure that the time frame of the action (deciding) is well-defined for your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have determined

Focuses on the process of figuring something out before making a decision.

have resolved

Implies a firm decision to solve a problem or move forward.

have concluded

Suggests a decision reached after careful consideration or investigation.

have opted

Indicates a choice made from a range of possibilities.

have chosen

Emphasizes the act of selecting one option over others.

have made up my mind

More informal, indicating a settled decision.

have reached a decision

Focuses on the outcome of a decision-making process.

have come to the conclusion

Similar to "have concluded" but often implies more extensive reasoning.

have settled on

Indicates a final choice after considering alternatives.

have agreed

Emphasizes a decision reached through mutual consent.

FAQs

How do I use "have decided" in a sentence?

"Have decided" indicates a past decision that has present relevance. For example, "I have decided to learn Spanish this year". This means the decision was made before now, and the plan is current.

What can I say instead of "have decided"?

Alternatives include "have determined", "have concluded", or "have opted", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "have decided" formal or informal?

"Have decided" is generally neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The specific context of the sentence will dictate the overall formality.

What's the difference between "have decided" and "decided"?

"Have decided" implies a present perfect tense, meaning the decision was made at some point in the past and is still relevant now. "Decided" (simple past) simply states that a decision was made in the past, without necessarily implying ongoing relevance. For example "I decided to buy a new car" versus "I have decided to buy a new car after careful consideration".