help him decide

USAGE SUMMARY

"help him decide" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone needs assistance in making a decision. Example: "I can't choose between the red or blue dress for the party tonight. Can you help me decide?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Did the debates help him decide?

The New York Times

This information would help him decide whether one or two disks should be removed.

The New Yorker

To help him decide, Chuka Umunna has sent a letter to his local Labour party members.

Independent

A few of the adults in his life might be happy to help him decide.

The New York Times

And did the debate help him decide how he would vote?

The New York Times

The judge said he also wanted to observe Mr. Ghailani to help him decide whether a competency determination was required.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

That helps him decide what's essential".

The New York Times

James Rory, 60, said his interactions with Father Chase helped him decide to try to get off the street.

The New York Times

She spoke almost every morning with a client in Miami, helping him decide what to put on.

The New Yorker

That builds his numbers and helps him decide whether he wants to spring for a full meal.

The New York Times - Food

He explains how being involved with his parents' work from a young age helped him decide on his future.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Feel free to use either the bare infinitive 'decide' or the full infinitive 'to decide' as both are grammatically correct, though the bare version is more common in modern media.

Common error

Avoid using 'help him deciding'. The verb 'help' requires either a bare infinitive ('decide') or a 'to' infinitive ('to decide') when used with an object, rather than a gerund.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help him decide" functions as a transitive verb structure where 'help' acts as the causative verb, 'him' is the direct object and 'decide' is the object complement in the form of a bare infinitive. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is a standard and highly efficient way to express assistance in decision-making.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "help him decide" is a widely accepted and versatile English expression used to describe the act of facilitating someone else's choice. Data from Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence in high-quality journalism, particularly in contexts involving politics, sports and legal proceedings where advisors or evidence play a key role. It is grammatically robust and can be used with or without the particle 'to'. Whether you are writing a formal report or a narrative, "help him decide" serves as a clear and effective way to denote supportive decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help him choose

Uses a more specific verb for selecting between distinct options.

assist him in deciding

A more formal construction using 'assist' and a prepositional phrase.

help him make up his mind

An idiomatic expression that implies a struggle with indecision.

guide his decision-making

Shifts focus to the ongoing process of reaching a conclusion.

aid him in his choice

Uses the noun 'choice' to emphasize the final selection.

facilitate his decision

A professional or technical alternative suggesting the removal of obstacles.

enable him to decide

Focuses on providing the necessary tools or authority to act.

counsel him on his choice

Implies providing expert advice rather than just general help.

influence his judgment

Suggests affecting the way he thinks about the options.

support his resolution

Focuses on helping him stick to or arrive at a firm intent.

FAQs

How do I use "help him decide" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action that facilitates a choice, such as: 'These new reports will help him decide whether to invest in the project'.

What is the difference between "help him decide" and "help him choose"?

While often interchangeable, "help him choose" usually refers to picking between specific physical items, whereas "help him decide" often refers to broader courses of action or abstract judgments.

Can I say "help him to decide" instead?

Yes, "help him to decide" is perfectly correct. The word 'to' is optional after the verb 'help'.

What are more formal ways to say "help him decide"?

In formal or business writing, you might prefer "assist him in deciding" or "facilitate his decision".