to decide upon something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to decide upon something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to making a choice or reaching a conclusion about a specific matter. Example: "After much discussion, we finally decided upon a date for the meeting." Alternative expressions include "to settle on something" and "to choose something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is a natural tendency when looking for savings to decide upon something that is noticeable but unimportant – the decision by the House of Lords to abandon vellum is a case in point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Certainly we want to see a change in the Kurdish situation in Syria, but this is something for them to decide upon," he told Al Jazeera.

The New York Times

Whether P does in fact have such a duty is not something we need to decide upon here and that will depend upon a wide range of facts about the situation.

SEP

This was one of the toughest comparisons to decide upon.

TechCrunch

Deciding upon something so important to the everyday life of the people created much debate.

Huffington Post

Long ago I decided upon something, it allows me to get up in the morning, it's Darwinian, it's pragmatic, it's not hypocritical, most importantly it's human.

Huffington Post

But books are for us to personally decide upon.

The Guardian

Accordingly, the outfit a woman decides upon is something they will be judged by in the workplace "for months to come".

Independent

It takes a special kind of person to decide that the proper way to congratulate a teammate upon doing something incredibly important is to throw a cup of water at him.

The New York Times

This is really something that partners need to decide jointly.

BBC

"But it's something for the NIH to decide".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to decide upon something" when you want to emphasize a formal or deliberate decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "to decide on something" and "to decide upon something" interchangeably, as "upon" often implies a more formal tone. Consider your audience and the context when choosing the preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to decide upon something" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of making a choice or judgment. It implies a process of consideration before reaching a conclusion. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to decide upon something" is a grammatically sound and reasonably common expression used to convey the action of making a deliberate choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees use across different registers, ranging from neutral to formal, with slight preference toward Wiki and News domains. It's crucial to be mindful of the slightly more formal connotation of "upon" compared to "on" when selecting this phrase for your writing. Substitute options like "to settle on something" or "to choose something" can provide appropriate alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to settle on something

Focuses on reaching a final agreement or choice.

to choose something

A more general term for selecting something from a range of options.

to determine something

Emphasizes the process of figuring something out before making a decision.

to resolve something

Highlights the act of solving a problem by making a decision.

to conclude something

Indicates reaching a decision after a period of consideration.

to opt for something

Suggests a preference for one option over others.

to pick something

An informal way of saying to choose something.

to go with something

An idiomatic expression for choosing a particular option.

to fix on something

To decide firmly on a particular course of action or choice.

to agree on something

Highlights reaching a mutual decision with others.

FAQs

What does "to decide upon something" mean?

The phrase "to decide upon something" means to make a choice or come to a conclusion about a specific thing after considering different options.

Is it better to use "to decide on" or "to decide upon"?

"To decide upon" is generally considered more formal than "to decide on". Both are grammatically correct, but "to decide upon" might be preferred in professional or academic contexts.

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

You can use alternatives like "to settle on something", "to choose something", or "to determine something" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "to decide upon something" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After careful consideration, the committee had to decide upon the best course of action for the company."