To decide is to make a choice, often after considering different possibilities.

The idea

Use decide to do something: We decided to walk. A question word can introduce the choice: decide which book to choose. The regular past is decided.

Examples

  • We decided to walk home.
  • She cannot decide which book to choose.
  • I decided to ask for help.
  • They will decide tomorrow.
  • He decided that the price was too high.
  • Take your time before you decide.

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Watch out

Decide names the act of choosing; a decision is the choice or conclusion.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the form for the action chosen. We decided ___ home. (to walk / walking)

    Show answer or example answer

    to walk

    After decided, to walk gives the action chosen.

  2. Choose the word introducing a choice among books. She cannot decide ___ book to choose. (which / where)

    Show answer or example answer

    which

    Which introduces a choice among books.

  3. Choose the past form for a completed choice. Yesterday I ___ to ask for help. (decided / decide)

    Show answer or example answer

    decided

    Decided is the regular past form of decide.

Use it today

Describe one choice you made and one thing you have yet to decide.