he decides for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he decides for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is making a decision on behalf of another person or group. Example: "In the absence of a clear consensus, he decides for the team on the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Now 46 and single, Hernandez said he decides for himself what he wants to do.

The New York Times - Sports

HENDRIK HERTZBERG: That would be my guess — that he decides for himself.

The New Yorker

He decides, for no particular reason, that this woman, Ynes, is Davíd's mother and he offers the child to her.

The Guardian - Books

If he decides, for instance, that the patient suffers from asthma, he waves a horsetail (bottom left) over his head to help him breathe.

The New York Times - Magazine

He does it, he decides, for himself: "For his idea of the world, a world in which men do not use shovels to beat corpses into a more convenient shape for processing".

The New Yorker

"He [Nelson Mandela] gave his life to the party and he decides for himself.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He would sell it, he decided, for $25,000.

The New York Times - Arts

A small skull, he decided, for no good reason except that these days skulls seemed to be a popular image.

The New Yorker

He decided, for instance, to turn Burlington into a beacon of opposition to the foreign policy of the Reagan administration.

Independent

Yet he decided, for fun and profit, to force dogs to fight, sometimes to the death, in an operation he called Bad Newz Kennels.

The New York Times - Arts

He decided for us to live right here".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear who benefits from the decision made by "he" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he decides for" when the subject is simply making a decision that affects themself only. This phrase implies that the decision directly impacts or is made on behalf of another person or entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he decides for" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, where "he" is the subject, "decides" is the verb, and "for" introduces the beneficiary of the decision. Ludwig AI suggests that it's generally considered a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he decides for" is a grammatically correct way to express that someone is making a decision on behalf of another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it's not an exceedingly common phrase, it appears in reputable sources like the The New York Times and BBC. This phrase is useful in contexts where delegated authority or the act of choosing for another is significant. Remember to use it when the context clearly implies the decision-making benefits someone other than the decision-maker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he determines for

This alternative emphasizes the act of finding out or establishing something for another.

he chooses on behalf of

This phrase clearly indicates that the decision is being made in someone else's interest.

he makes the call for

This idiom implies a decisive action, often in a leadership role.

he opts for

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying that someone is selecting a specific option.

he settles upon for

This phrase indicates that after consideration, someone has made a final decision.

he resolves for

This version emphasizes the act of making a firm decision or resolution for another.

he picks out for

This suggests a selection from several available choices for someone.

he judges for

Implies assessing and making a decision according to one's judgement for someone.

he rules for

This phrase is often used in legal or formal contexts where a ruling is made.

he dictates for

This implies a forceful decision, where someone else's preferences are overridden.

FAQs

How can I use "he decides for" in a sentence?

Use "he decides for" when indicating that someone is making a decision on behalf of another person or group. For example, "In the absence of a clear consensus, "he decides for" the team on the best course of action."

What are some alternatives to "he decides for"?

You can use alternatives like "he chooses on behalf of", "he makes the call for", or "he opts for" depending on the specific context.

Is "he decides for himself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he decides for himself" is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that the person is making a decision independently, without external influence or assistance. See Ludwig's examples to find out more.

What's the difference between "he decides for" and "he decides"?

"He decides" simply indicates that someone is making a decision. "He decides for" implies that the decision is being made on behalf of someone else or with their interests in mind.