they decided to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they decided to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a choice or resolution made by a group of people regarding a specific action or plan. Example: "After much discussion, they decided to move forward with the project despite the challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They decided to buy.

The New York Times

They decided to pivot.

The New Yorker

They decided to move.

The New York Times

They decided to fight.

The New Yorker

They decided to go.

The New Yorker

They decided to take control.

The New York Times

They decided to keep silent.

The New York Times

They decided to cremate Harry.

The Guardian

They decided to combine efforts.

The New Yorker

They decided to visit Stinesville.

The New Yorker

They decided to move on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they decided to", ensure that the subject "they" is clearly defined and refers to a specific group of people. This avoids ambiguity and makes the sentence easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "they decided to" when the group's decision is not universally agreed upon or when some members dissented. In such cases, clarify the decision-making process or acknowledge differing opinions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they decided to" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action taken by a group. It specifies a resolution or choice made after consideration, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they decided to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a decision made by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. With examples spanning across diverse sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian, the phrase sees frequent use in news, media, and general communication. To improve clarity, always ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined. While "they decided to" is often interchangeable with phrases like "they chose to" or "they opted to", nuances in formality and emphasis can guide the best choice for a given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they opted to

Replaces "decided" with "opted", offering a slightly more formal tone.

they chose to

Uses "chose" instead of "decided", providing a more direct and common alternative.

they resolved to

Emphasizes the firmness of the decision made.

they determined to

Highlights the process of reaching a firm conclusion.

they agreed to

Focuses on the consensus aspect of the decision.

they made the decision to

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating a decision was made.

they came to the conclusion to

Highlights the reasoning that lead to the decision.

they saw fit to

Implies that the decision was based on their judgment of what was appropriate.

it was their decision to

Shifts the focus to the decision itself, rather than the act of deciding.

they took the step to

Emphasizes the action taken as a result of the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "they decided to" in a sentence?

Use "they decided to" to indicate a choice or resolution made by a group. For example: "After much discussion, "they decided to" move forward with the project."

What are some alternatives to "they decided to"?

You can use alternatives such as "they chose to", "they opted to", or "they resolved to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they decided to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they decided to" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure, where "they" is the subject, "decided" is the verb in the past tense, and "to" introduces the infinitive form of the subsequent verb.

What's the difference between "they decided to" and "they agreed to"?

"They decided to" implies a final choice or course of action, while "they agreed to" emphasizes the consensus or mutual acceptance of a proposal.