to decide on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to decide on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of making a choice or reaching a conclusion about a particular issue or matter. Example: "After much discussion, we finally decided on the best course of action for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And there's something delightfully frantic about shopping and knowing you only have 48 hours to decide on something you see.

The New York Times

"It doesn't make sense to decide on something that hasn't been proven, when you don't know whether it works or whether you can pay for it," a German defense official said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Don't take too long to decide on to something because you might miss some other important jobs because of your slow decision making.

WikiHow

You can't as one country decide on something for the whole of Europe".

Huffington Post

They concluded that we feel better when the amount of conscious work we have to do in order to process something is reduced; the faster we decide on something, whether it's what we're going to eat or what we're going to read, the happier we become.

The New Yorker

This is great for being spontaneous as you can wake up in the morning and decide on something you want to do for the day based on a whim.

WikiHow

If you decide on something about a character, add it to his or her character page(s).

WikiHow

"We decide on something, leave it lying around and wait and see what happens," he explained.

The Economist

The Violence Against Women Act was renewed, but only after a majority of Republicans voted against it, a rare instance of letting the full House decide on something that the public favors.

The New York Times

Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg and the EU's longest-serving head of government, explains: "We decide on something, leave it lying around and wait and see what happens.

The Economist

"If anything happens and it's concrete, and we decide on something, I will let you know, but nothing's happening at the moment," she told listeners to her Heart London breakfast radio show.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to decide on something", ensure the context clearly indicates what the options are and what criteria are being used to make the decision. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "to decide on something" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less sophisticated. Vary your language with synonyms like "determine", "select", or "opt for" to enhance readability and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to decide on something" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a verb complement. It indicates the action of making a choice or judgment about a particular matter. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to decide on something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for indicating the act of making a choice or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile across various contexts, it's important to be mindful of overuse in formal writing. Alternatives like "determine", "select", or "opt for" can enhance writing style. As our analysis shows, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. Remember to clearly specify the options and criteria when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity and the best practices is to check the alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to decide upon something

Synonymous, but using 'upon' instead of 'on'.

to choose something

A more direct and general way of expressing the act of selection.

to settle on something

Focuses more on reaching a final, agreed-upon choice.

to select something

Implies a careful and deliberate choice.

to determine something

Emphasizes the act of finding out or establishing something definitively.

to opt for something

Highlights the act of choosing one option from several possibilities.

to resolve something

Focuses on finding a solution or making a firm decision about something.

to pick something

A more informal way of saying 'to choose'.

to conclude something

Implies reaching a decision after a period of thought or discussion.

to agree on something

Highlights a mutual decision or consensus.

FAQs

What's the difference between "to decide on something" and "to decide about something"?

"To decide on something" typically refers to choosing something from a range of options. "To decide about something" is more general and can refer to making any kind of decision regarding a topic or issue.

What can I say instead of "to decide on something"?

You can use alternatives like "to settle on", "to opt for", or "to choose" depending on the context.

How to use "to decide on something" in a sentence?

You can use "to decide on something" when expressing the act of making a choice after considering different options. Example: "After much debate, the committee had to decide on something.".

Is it correct to say "decide in something" instead of "to decide on something"?

No, "decide in something" is not a correct or idiomatic English phrase. The correct phrase to use is "to decide on something".