if she decides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'if she decides' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a hypothetical situation. For example: "We will have to wait to see what she does if she decides to take the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If she decides to accept them, fine," the judge said.

The New York Times

"If she decides to do something, she isn't worried about what people might think".

The New York Times

If she decides to run, it'll be almost impossible to prevent her from being the nominee.

The Guardian

If she decides not to for whatever reason, it's certainly something I would want to consider.

The New York Times

But if she decides to go for broke, wherever she is is the place to be.

The New York Times - Arts

But if she decides to work three days a week she only earns £6 more.

The Guardian - Opinion

If she decides to call and you don't answer, she may think: "Why not?

The New York Times - Tech

"And Priorities is going to be there for her if she decides to run".

The New Yorker

The Massachusetts race could be as important as the national race, if she decides to make it so.

The New York Times

Whether this can translate into a winning electoral strategy if she decides to run is another question.

The New York Times

If she decides to run, which is more likely than not, the campaign has enormous advantages with him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence. Use either present or past tense for both the 'if' clause and the main clause.

Common error

Avoid using the subjunctive mood incorrectly after "if she decides". The phrase implies a real possibility, so use the indicative mood in the main clause. For example, instead of "If she decides to go, I would be happy", use "If she decides to go, I will be happy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if she decides" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that sets a condition for the main clause. It creates a hypothetical scenario where the outcome depends on a decision made by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and common construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if she decides" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a conditional clause dependent on a female subject's decision. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s suitable for general use. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and everyday conversation. While seemingly simple, proper usage involves ensuring correct tense consistency and avoiding the common error of incorrect subjunctive mood. Remember to use alternative phrases when nuance or formality demands it, and always ensure that the consequences of her decision are clearly articulated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if she opts to

Replaces "decides" with a synonym emphasizing choice or selection.

should she determine

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a sense of careful consideration.

in the event that she chooses

Introduces a more formal and somewhat distanced conditional clause.

if it is her decision to

Shifts the focus to the fact that the action depends on her choice.

assuming she resolves to

Conveys a sense of firm intention or commitment.

on the condition that she agrees

Highlights a requirement for agreement or consent.

if her conclusion is to

Emphasizes the result of her reasoning process.

depending on whether she wants to

Highlights her desire as the primary factor influencing the action.

should it be her choice to

A formal variation focusing on the 'choice' aspect.

if she makes up her mind to

Highlights the mental effort involved in making a firm decision.

FAQs

How to use "if she decides" in a sentence?

Use "if she decides" to introduce a conditional clause, outlining what will happen based on her choice. For example: "If she decides to run, she'll be the front-runner".

What can I say instead of "if she decides"?

You can use alternatives like "if she opts to", "should she determine", or "in the event that she chooses" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "if she decides" or "if she will decide"?

"If she decides" is generally preferred over "if she will decide" because it's more concise and natural. The simple present tense effectively conveys the conditional meaning.

What's the difference between "if she decides" and "when she decides"?

"If she decides" implies uncertainty about whether the decision will be made. "When she decides" suggests that the decision is likely, and the focus is on the timing of the consequences that follow.