not decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not decide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a lack of decision or choice in a particular situation. Example: "After much deliberation, I chose to not decide on the matter just yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Impact — but not decide.

The New York Times

Men should not decide".

The Guardian

But Chevron does not decide.

The New York Times

Her husband could not decide.

The New York Times

But unfortunately I could not decide that.

Independent

Let's not decide that everything is doomed.

The Guardian

They could not decide who to follow.

The New York Times - Sports

But still she could not decide.

The New York Times - Magazine

You do not decide for them.

The Guardian

"In this country the president does not decide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The public will not decide the next president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "not decide" with a stronger verb like "waver", "hesitate", or "vacillate" to add nuance and stylistic flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "not decide" repeatedly within a single paragraph or passage. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms such as "refrain from deciding" or "defer decision" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not decide" is as a negative verb phrase. It modifies the verb "decide" with the negation "not", indicating an absence of a decision-making action. This usage is observed across various contexts, as Ludwig demonstrates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not decide" is a grammatically sound and commonly used negative verb phrase indicating a failure or refusal to make a decision. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is widely used in different contexts such as News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to use synonyms judiciously to avoid repetition and maintain writing quality. Remember also the primary goal of the expression that is to highlight a pause or lack of making a resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from deciding

Emphasizes a conscious choice to avoid making a decision.

choose not to decide

Highlights the element of choice in deferring a decision.

opt not to decide

Similar to "choose not to decide", but with a slightly more formal tone.

decline to decide

Suggests a more formal refusal to make a decision.

abstain from deciding

Implies a deliberate holding back from making a decision, often in a voting context.

defer decision

Focuses on postponing the decision to a later time.

leave undecided

Indicates that a matter remains unresolved.

hold off on deciding

Suggests a temporary delay in making a decision.

remain undecided

Highlights the continued state of not having made a decision.

sidestep the decision

Implies avoiding the decision altogether.

FAQs

How can I use "not decide" in a sentence?

You can use "not decide" to indicate a lack of decision or choice. For example: "The committee could "not decide" on a course of action." or "I chose to "not decide" immediately."

What are some alternatives to "not decide"?

Alternatives include "choose not to decide", "refrain from deciding", "defer decision", or "leave undecided" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not decide"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "not decide". It functions as a negative verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this, based on its analysis of numerous reliable sources.

What's the difference between "not decide" and "undecided"?

"Not decide" is a verb phrase indicating the action of failing to make a decision. "Undecided" is an adjective describing something or someone that has not yet been decided or has not made a decision. For example: "The issue remains "undecided"." versus "The committee did "not decide"."