to decide between

USAGE SUMMARY

"to decide between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have two or more options or choices from which to decide. For example: "We had to decide between going to the beach or visiting the zoo."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ms. Coates recently had to decide between two job offers.

The New York Times

"I'm trying to decide between water and sunlight".

The New Yorker

"The delegates are going to decide between Donald and me.

The Guardian

But I had to decide between baseball and hockey.

The New York Times

We won't have to decide between the AKP and the [main opposition] CHP.

The Guardian

The Brewers were poised to decide between getting Lawton and the other offer, possibly Bobby Higginson.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought, it can't be, I have to decide between them.

The Guardian

I hope the young man trying to decide between Starlog and Fangoria won't step on me.

The New York Times - Books

When I graduated I had to decide between continuing school or working.

The New York Times

It is the job of politicians to decide between apples and pears.

The Guardian

We are actually looking at two different mission concepts and trying to decide between them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to decide between", ensure that the options being compared are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the decision-making process is well-understood.

Common error

Avoid using "to decide between" without explicitly stating what the choices are. For example, instead of saying "I had to decide between", specify "I had to decide between staying home and going out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to decide between" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating an action that needs to be taken. It introduces the concept of making a choice from a set of alternatives, as evidenced by Ludwig examples such as "Ms. Coates recently had to decide between two job offers."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to decide between" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the act of choosing from multiple options. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It is especially common in News & Media and Science, reflecting its widespread application in reporting and research. When employing this phrase, ensure the choices are clearly presented. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "to choose between" or "to make a choice between" for variety. Remember that while 'to decide between' is suited for comparing two options, 'to decide among' is preferable when there are three or more choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to choose between

Focuses on the selection aspect of deciding.

to pick between

An informal way of saying "to choose between".

to make a choice between

Highlights the action of making a decision.

to select from

Emphasizes the act of picking one or more items from a larger set of options.

to evaluate alternatives

Focuses on assessing the value of different choices.

to weigh the options

Suggests a careful consideration of different possibilities.

to determine among

Implies a more formal or structured decision-making process.

to opt for

Focuses on the final act of choosing and favoring one option.

to distinguish between

Highlights the process of recognizing differences to inform a decision.

to resolve between

Implies settling on one option after considering conflicting factors.

FAQs

How do I use "to decide between" in a sentence?

Use "to decide between" when presenting two or more options and indicating the need to make a choice. For example: "She had to decide between the blue dress and the red dress".

What are some alternatives to "to decide between"?

You can use alternatives such as "to choose between", "to select from", or "to make a choice between" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to decide among" instead of "to decide between"?

While "to decide between" is typically used for two options, "to decide among" is generally used when there are three or more options.

What's the difference between "to decide between" and "to weigh the options"?

"To decide between" indicates a choice needs to be made. "To weigh the options" suggests a more deliberative process of considering the pros and cons of each choice before deciding.