# decide on

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decide-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to choose one thing or person from a group of options after thinking about it carefully.

For teachers: to select a specific option or course of action from a range of possibilities; implies a period of deliberation prior to the final choice.

## Examples

- We need to decide on a color for the kitchen.
- After looking at several different models, they finally decided on the blue sedan.
- The committee spent three hours debating the budget before they could finally decide on a suitable candidate for the director position.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We decided on go to Italy." but "We decided on going to Italy." — the preposition 'on' must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not a base verb.

## Usage notes

- the object is usually the final choice made (a plan, a date, or a person).
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'decide to' (followed by an infinitive verb) versus 'decide on' (followed by a noun or gerund); 'on' emphasizes the selection process among alternatives.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.