he decided to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"he decided to go" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "John had a difficult choice to make, but after considering all his options, he decided to go back to school and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he decided to go ahead.

The New Yorker

Eventually, he decided to go ahead.

The New Yorker

"So he decided to go much farther".

The New Yorker

He decided to go for it.

The New York Times

He decided to go.

The Guardian

So he decided to go back to school.

Harvard University

He decided to go passive, selecting a trump.

The New York Times

But he decided to go after the place anyway.

The New York Times

Finally he decided to go back to the hotel.

The New York Times

"He decided to go help," said the employee, Linda Hand.

The New York Times

But he decided to go home and get the bags.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he decided to go" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone made a choice to proceed or depart. It's a versatile phrase suitable for various contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "he decided to go" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and word choice by using alternatives like "he chose to proceed" or "he resolved to leave" to add depth and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he decided to go" functions as a declarative statement indicating a subject's (he) choice or resolution to proceed with an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and common English construction. Examples from Ludwig show diverse scenarios where this phrase is applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he decided to go" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express someone's choice or resolution to proceed with an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile and suitable for various contexts, diversifying your writing with alternatives such as "he chose to proceed" or "he resolved to leave" can enhance its impact. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase serves as a clear and direct way to convey past decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he made the decision to go

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating "made the decision", maintaining the core meaning.

he elected to go ahead

Replaces "decided" with "elected", suggesting a deliberate choice to continue.

he chose to proceed

Changes "decided" to "chose" and "go" to "proceed", implying a formal continuation.

he determined to depart

Replaces "decided" with "determined", conveying a strong sense of purpose in leaving.

he resolved to leave

Replaces "decided" with "resolved", suggesting a firm decision to depart.

he opted to venture

Substitutes "decided" with "opted" and "go" with "venture", indicating a willingness to explore.

he felt compelled to go

Implies an internal pressure or obligation influencing the decision.

he came to the conclusion to leave

Indicates a process of reasoning before deciding to leave.

he considered it necessary to leave

Highlights the perceived necessity behind the decision to depart.

he thought it best to leave

Suggests a judgment call leading to the decision to depart.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he decided to go" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "he resolved to leave" or "he elected to go ahead". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

What are some less common alternatives to "he decided to go"?

If you're aiming for uniqueness, try "he opted to venture" or "he thought it best to leave", which offer a fresh perspective on the decision-making process.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "he decided to go"?

No, the phrase "he decided to go" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, ensure it fits the tone and context of your writing. Overuse might lead to repetitiveness.

How does "he made the decision to go" differ in meaning from "he decided to go"?

The phrase "he made the decision to go" emphasizes the act of making a decision, while "he decided to go" is a more straightforward statement of his choice. The former can highlight the deliberateness of the decision.