in order to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to decide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose or intention behind making a decision. Example: "We need to gather all the necessary information in order to decide on the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We granted the petitions for certiorari in significant part in order to decide this question.

Cornell University

Marketers commonly estimate customer lifetime value in order to decide which customers are worth continued investment.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Ronan was touring open houses in order to decide if he should buy or sign another year's lease.

The New York Times

Someone told me to look at a director's past work in order to decide whether to take a part.

The Guardian - Film

A standard evalutation and rating technique must be implemented in order to decide which technique to further develop.

Stanford University

I think that people don't always read book reviews in order to decide what books to read.

Princeton University

Empirical data also allow patients to be classified by risk group in order to decide on the need for hospitalization.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica

The base case design and alternative designs are simulated using Aspen HYSYS® in order to decide the process design variables.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Justices don't have to like the Affordable Care Act in order to decide that it should remain in effect.

The Washington Post

I wanted to see up close how black the blacks were in order to decide what film stock to use.

The New York Times

In both cases, a thorough understanding of the existing structure must be available in order to decide the best intervention method.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "in order to decide" with a simpler phrase like "to decide" if the context is already clear and you want to avoid unnecessary wordiness.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overusing "in order to decide" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases like "to determine" or restructuring the sentence to avoid the phrase altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to decide" functions as an infinitive of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig confirms, it correctly indicates purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order to decide" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce the purpose behind an action related to making a decision. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid and useful phrase. While it appears most often in scientific, academic and media contexts, writers should be mindful of potential wordiness and vary their phrasing with alternatives like "to determine" or a simple "to decide" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so as to decide

Uses 'so as to' as a synonym for 'in order to'.

for the purpose of deciding

Replaces "in order to" with a more formal phrasing.

with the aim of deciding

Emphasizes the goal or aim of the decision-making process.

to make a decision

Focuses on the action of making a decision, removing the 'in order to' structure.

with a view to deciding

A more formal and less common alternative.

for deciding

A more concise phrasing that still conveys the purpose.

to determine

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb expressing the act of deciding.

in deciding

Focuses on the act of deciding as part of a larger process.

to reach a decision

Highlights the outcome of the decision-making process.

toward making a decision

Emphasizes movement or progression toward a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to decide" in a sentence?

You can use "in order to decide" to introduce the reason or purpose behind an action that leads to a decision. For example, "We need to analyze the data thoroughly in order to decide the best course of action."

What are some alternatives to "in order to decide"?

Some alternatives include "to determine", "for the purpose of deciding", or simply "to decide", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "in order to decide" or just "to decide"?

"In order to decide" adds emphasis to the purpose of the action, while "to decide" is more concise. Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone and clarity of your writing.

When should I use "in order to decide" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "in order to decide" when you want to clearly highlight the connection between an action and the subsequent decision-making process. It's particularly useful when the action is specifically intended to facilitate a decision.