Decide meaning in English
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Definition
to decide: to make a decision, to choose
undecided: unsure, uncommitted, uncertain
Our last campaign targeted undecided voters by convincing them that the other candidate was a terrorist.
We are still undecided about who we will hire but we have decided upon a shortlist of 5.
Examples
- "We're going to decide who has the craziest way of speaking."
- "Philip Cheeter said he decided to become king after reading the Peacenikland Times and discovering that the country was "full of non-violent wimps"."
- "Bruno : Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, before you decide on anything, I would like to say something that I think you'll find very interesting."
- "Bruno : I decided to embark on a mission to study the dolphin in its natural habitat."
- "In fact I have decided to buy one of his paintings."
- "Therefore, I have decided to create a customer service department here at the San Francisco office."
- "Though I am still mourning Stink (a period which will last 40 days and 40 nights), I have decided to communicate to you my wishes for your atonement."
- "But I decided to come back to life because I got hungry."
- "I mean it's kind of not decided yet."
- "We are here today to decide the fate of the Delavigne Corporation."
- "This is very hard for me to say, but I have decided to stay here."
- "I've made a decision, however, and rather than follow in my grandfather's footsteps, and live his dream, I've decided to pursue my own dream. Ladies and gentleman, I've decided to become..."
- "On an interim basis, I have decided to leave full control of the Delavigne Corporation to..."
- "With around 20% of the British population currently falling into the "obese" category, and a further 40% being classified as "overweight", the government decided a change was necessary."
- "But we need to decide what the business is..."
- "Bruno (Mitch) : I've decided to give up my position as lifeguard of this beach to pursue a musical career."
- "The European leaders and I were trying to decide if we should invade Andorra."
- "You need to decide right now: where do your loyalties lie?"
Exercise 1
Replace the terms from Susie's email with synonyms in the sentences below.
I was rather concerned when the plane crashed. --> I was concerned when the plane crashed.
She contemplated leaving her husband because of his infidelity. --> She her husband because of his infidelity.
If I tell you something, it must remain between us. --> If I tell you something, it must between us.
I was rather concerned when the plane crashed. --> I was concerned when the plane crashed.
She contemplated leaving her husband because of his infidelity. --> She her husband because of his infidelity.
If I tell you something, it must remain between us. --> If I tell you something, it must between us.
Replace the terms from Susie's email with synonyms in the sentences below.
I was rather concerned when the plane crashed. --> I was quite 1 concerned when the plane crashed.
She contemplated leaving her husband because of his infidelity. --> She considered leaving 2 her husband because of his infidelity.
If I tell you something, it must remain between us. --> If I tell you something, it must stay 3 between us.
I was rather concerned when the plane crashed. --> I was quite 1 concerned when the plane crashed.
She contemplated leaving her husband because of his infidelity. --> She considered leaving 2 her husband because of his infidelity.
If I tell you something, it must remain between us. --> If I tell you something, it must stay 3 between us.
1 quite: This is correct. "Rather" is synonymous with "quite", "somewhat", or "a little" in this context. For example: "It was rather dark in the office after we turned off the lights".
1 hardly: This is incorrect. "Rather" is not synonymous with "hardly". "Hardly" means the same thing as "barely", "only just", or "not very much". For example: "You've hardly eaten anything! Are you sick?"
1 instantly: This is incorrect. "Rather" is not synonymous with "instantly". "Instantly" means "immediately" or "right away".
2 considered leaving: This is the correct answer. "To contemplate" and "to consider" are synonymous in this context. Both terms mean to "think about" or "reflect" on/about something. For example "My brother is contemplating moving to France for his job".
2 decided to leave: This is incorrect. "To decide to do something" is to "make a decision" that you will do it. This expresses certainty, whereas when you "consider doing something", you are not sure if you will do it.
2 wanted to leave: This is incorrect. "To want to" is not synonymous with "to contemplate". If somebody is contemplating doing something, they don't know whether they want to do it or not yet.
3 stay: This is the right choice. "To remain" and "to stay" are synonymous in this context. For example: "I know I slept with your wife, but I hope we can remain friends."
3 be discussed: This is not the correct choice. "To remain" is not synonymous with "to discuss". If a topic is "discussed", then it is "talked" or "spoken" about. For example: "Brian's schedule needs to be discussed in the morning meeting!".
3 be understood: This is not the right answer. "To remain" is not synonymous with "to understand"."To be understood" is "to be comprehended". For example: "The rules of the office need to be understood by all employees".
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