opted to

USAGE SUMMARY

"opted to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone freely chooses to do something. For example: "After careful consideration, she opted to enroll in the advanced math course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Washington opted to ignore it.

The New Yorker

Most Turks opted to stay.

The New York Times

He opted to become a free agent.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, he opted to be motivated.

The New York Times - Sports

He has opted to return home.

The Economist

The pirates opted to keep several weapons.

The New York Times

Some plants have opted to hire mercenaries.

Britannica

He opted to go to Naples.

The New York Times

He has opted to forfeit it.

The Economist

Queralt opted to retire from music.

Independent

Some have opted to pacify their detractors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opted to" when you want to emphasize a conscious decision or choice made from a range of possibilities. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "opted to" when there was no real choice or alternative available. For example, don't say "He opted to die" unless suicide was the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opted to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice or decision. As Ludwig AI suggests, it signifies that someone made a conscious selection from available alternatives. For example, "He opted to go to Naples."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opted to" is a versatile and common verb phrase used to indicate a conscious choice or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure correct usage, remember that "opted to" is best used when a genuine alternative existed. Remember to explore the related phrases for nuanced alternatives like "chose to" or "decided to" for more clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose to

Indicates a selection from multiple options, similar to "opted to" but potentially implying a more deliberate decision.

decided to

Implies a firm resolution after consideration, slightly stronger than "opted to".

elected to

Often suggests a formal or official choice, differing in formality from "opted to".

preferred to

Indicates a liking for one option over another, which adds a degree of personal preference not necessarily present in "opted to".

resolved to

Suggests a determined decision to achieve something, implying more resolve than "opted to".

determined to

Highlights the firmness of the decision, showing strong intention.

saw fit to

More formal and implies a judgment of appropriateness, different from the neutral tone of "opted to".

took the option of

More verbose and emphasizes the existence of an option, whereas "opted to" is more direct.

made the choice to

Highlights the act of choosing, making it slightly more emphatic than "opted to".

settled on

Implies a final decision after potential deliberation, a more conclusive choice.

FAQs

How to use "opted to" in a sentence?

Use "opted to" to indicate a conscious choice made between two or more options. For example: "After considering all options, she "opted to" pursue a career in medicine".

What can I say instead of "opted to"?

You can use alternatives like "chose to", "decided to", or "elected to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "opted for" instead of "opted to"?

Yes, "opted for" is also correct, but it is followed by a noun or noun phrase (e.g., "He "opted for the blue car""), whereas "opted to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "He "opted to drive"").

What's the difference between "opted to" and "chose to"?

While both "opted to" and "chose to" indicate a selection, "opted to" often implies a more thoughtful or considered decision compared to the more general "chose to".