Language Activator – decide

decide

(intransitive/transitive verb)

to make a choice that you are going to do something

.We’ll support you whatever you decide

decide to do something

.She decided to tell her mother all about it that evening

decide not to do something

.If you decide not to accept our offer, let me know

(decide (that

.I’ve decided that I really must stop smoking

decide what/how/which etc

?Have you decided whether to apply for that job

decide against (doing) something

decide not to do something

.For a second he thought about using his gun, but decided against it

you decide

spoken used to tell someone to decide

.I don’t mind which restaurant we go to. You decide

make up your mind

(verb phrase)

to finally decide that you will definitely do something, after thinking about it

make up your mind what/how/which etc

.I couldn’t make up my mind which college I wanted to go to

make your mind up

.You’ll have to make your mind up soon, or there won’t be any tickets left

make up your mind to do something

.John had made up his mind to forget the past and make a fresh start

(make up your mind (that

.She’s finally made up her mind that she wants to study Law

choose

(transitive verb)

to decide to do something because you want to, without worrying about what other people think

choose to do something

.More and more young couples today are choosing not to marry

make a decision

(verb phrase)

to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important

.After weeks of sleepless nights, I finally made a decision

make a decision to do something

!I think you should make the decision to marry him – he’s great

make a decision about

.We don’t have to make a decision about that now, let’s think about it for a day or two

arrive at/come to/reach a decision

(verb phrase)

to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it

.Before reaching a decision the chairman usually talks to senior managers

.Let me know as soon as you arrive at a decision

arrive at/come to/reach a decision on/about

.After two hours the committee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals

resolve

(transitive verb not in progressive or passive)

formal to decide that you will definitely do something and will not change your mind about it, especially because you have learned from your past experiences

resolve to do something

.I resolved to keep quiet about what I had heard, since it would only cause trouble

.After the divorce she resolved never to marry again

come down in favour of British/come down in favor of American

(verb phrase)

to decide finally to support one plan or action instead of another

.Following a heated debate, the House of Commons came down in favour of the treaty

take it into your head to do something

(verb phrase not in progressive)

spoken if someone takes it into their head to do something , they suddenly decide to do something that you think is stupid or strange

.He took it into his head to borrow his Dad’s car without asking

:Practice

:Fill in the blanks with appropriate words

.N1. Martha took hours ————- which dress to wear

.N2. I was so tired that I decided ————- going to the party after all

.N3. For some reason they ————- it into their heads to go swimming at midnight

.N4. I told him to drive more slowly, but he ————- to ignore my advice

N5. The Senate ————- down in favor of the appointment of Judge Thomas to the US Supreme Court

:Answers

Deciding/ Against/ Took/ Chose/ Came