they decided for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they decided for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct expression would be "they decided on" or "they decided in favor of." Example: "After much discussion, they decided on the new marketing strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They decided, for safety, to travel together.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They decided for us, not with us," she said.

The New York Times

There was no need, they decided, for Houston to do a mock interview.

The New York Times - Magazine

Three quarters of voters said he had the temperament to be an effective president (though the one-quarter who did not voted overwhelmingly for Mr. Bush), and whether voters made up their minds today or earlier, they decided for Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

When Tom Daschle, Edward M. Kennedy and other senators came to New York on Thursday to see for themselves the destruction caused by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, they decided for logistical and security reasons not to travel by plane.

The New York Times

"They decided for us".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

How could they decide for me, I thought.

The Guardian

"They are the decision-makers; they decide for themselves and run the cooperative on their own.

The Guardian

Luckily, at the Caves, they decide for you, and they know that you'll trust their taste.

The Guardian - Travel

As they decide for themselves the best way to live, people can and do consult traditional sources of moral wisdom.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or will they decide for whatever reason — team psychology, marketing, too many losses — that they need a clean break, a fresh voice to speak for the reinvigorated project.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a decision, use the phrase "decided on" instead of "decided for". For example, say "They decided on a new strategy" not "They decided for a new strategy".

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "for" after "decided". The correct preposition is typically "on" when specifying the object of the decision or "to" when indicating an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they decided for" functions as an incorrect verb phrase. Ludwig AI notes that standard English prefers "decided on" or "opted for". While examples exist, their presence doesn't validate grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they decided for" is commonly found but generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English usage dictates "they decided on" or "they "opted for"" instead. While Ludwig identifies examples across various sources, including News & Media and Science, it's crucial to recognize and avoid this error in formal writing. The correct alternatives like "they "chose"", "they "determined"", or "they "agreed on"" offer clearer and more accurate ways to express the intended meaning. Pay close attention to preposition usage to ensure grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they decided on

Corrects the preposition usage, making the phrase grammatically sound.

they opted for

Replaces "decided" with "opted", indicating a choice between alternatives.

they chose

Uses a simpler verb, "chose", to convey the act of selecting.

they determined

Replaces "decided" with "determined", suggesting a more formal or definitive choice.

they made a decision for

Adds emphasis to the act of decision-making.

they settled on

Indicates a final decision reached after considering various options.

they resolved to

Uses "resolved" to indicate a firm decision or commitment.

they elected to

Uses "elected" to suggest a formal or deliberate choice.

they agreed on

Suggests a collective decision reached through agreement.

they concluded

Implies a decision made after careful consideration or deliberation.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "decide" with a preposition?

The correct preposition depends on the context. Use "decide on" when referring to a specific choice, such as "They "decided on" the blue car". Use "decide to" when referring to an action, such as "They "decided to" leave early".

What can I say instead of "they decided for us"?

Alternatives include "they "decided on" our behalf", "they made the decision for us", or "they "opted for" us."

Is it grammatically correct to say "they decided for"?

No, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is usually "they "decided on"" or "they "opted for"".

How do I avoid mistakes when using the word "decide"?

Pay close attention to the context and the intended meaning. Remember that "decide on" refers to a choice, while "decide to" refers to an action. Consider using alternative phrases like "opt for" or "choose" to avoid preposition errors.