make a decision for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a decision for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is making a choice or judgment on behalf of someone else or for a specific situation. Example: "I trust you to make a decision for the team regarding the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Somebody has to make a decision for you to get an opportunity".

The New York Times - Sports

Now it's time to get on with it and make a decision for all of Britain.

The Guardian

Steinbrenner could make a decision for him, of course, but he has made this Cashman's responsibility.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't want to make a decision for the wrong reason," Rubin continues.

The New York Times - Magazine

How can anyone say some woman can't be trusted to make a decision for herself?

The New York Times

But Steve Evans had to make a decision for Steve Evans".

The Guardian - Sport

Commander Fargo took about a week to make a decision for which he was given 30 days.

The New York Times

[You're] thinking about the fame part of it, so you might not be the best candidate to make a decision for yourself".

Independent

Yet "there are really no guidelines or data that help a woman to make a decision for or against hysterectomy," he said.

The New York Times

"I hope that the Democratic and Republican leadership will make a decision for us to have some kind of not-just-token unity event," she said.

The New York Times

"In the beginning," she recalled, "I had so many ideas and sketches that I couldn't make a decision for fear of choosing the wrong one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a more direct verb like "decide", "choose", or "determine" might be more concise and impactful, depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "make a decision for" when the decision's impact is limited to the decision-maker. Instead, reserve it for situations where the decision genuinely affects or benefits another entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a decision for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of choosing or resolving something on behalf of another party. This means someone is exercising their judgment to select a course of action that will affect or benefit someone or something else, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a decision for" is a versatile expression used to indicate the act of deciding on behalf of someone or something, as affirmed by Ludwig. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what benefits from the decision. Although grammatically correct and widely used, consider more direct verbs or rephrasing for conciseness when appropriate. Ludwig also points out that the tone is neutral and widely accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decide on behalf of

Replaces "make a decision" with the single word "decide", which offers a more concise phrasing.

choose for

Uses "choose" instead of "decide", suggesting a selection from available options rather than a resolution.

opt for

This suggests a selection of a specific choice or course of action in substitution of somebody else.

determine for

Implies establishing or ascertaining something definitively for someone or something.

resolve for

Suggests finding a solution or settling something for another party.

settle for

Conveys the act of concluding or deciding something on someone else's behalf, often implying finality.

rule for

Specifically refers to making a formal judgment or decree for someone or something.

legislate for

Relates to creating laws or regulations that govern or benefit a particular group or entity.

adjudicate for

Refers to formally judging or deciding a case or matter on behalf of someone.

decree for

Implies issuing an official order or decision that affects another party.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "make a decision for"?

Use "make a decision for" when you are choosing or deciding something on behalf of someone else, or for the benefit of a group, organization, or cause. It indicates that your decision has an impact beyond yourself.

What are some alternatives to "make a decision for"?

Depending on the context, you can use "decide on behalf of", "choose for", or "determine for" as alternatives to "make a decision for".

Is "make a decision for" formal or informal?

"Make a decision for" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using a more precise synonym to convey your intended meaning.

How does "make a decision for" differ from "make a decision about"?

"Make a decision about" indicates that you are making a choice concerning a particular topic or subject. In contrast, "make a decision for" implies that your choice is being made to benefit or affect someone or something else.