Conjugation of "Decide" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To make a choice or reach a conclusion after thinking about options.
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All 12 Tenses of "Decide"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "decide" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I decide |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I decided |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will decide |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am deciding |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was deciding |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be deciding |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have decided |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had decided |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have decided |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been deciding |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been deciding |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been deciding |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Decide" — Decided
The past simple of "decide" is "decided" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.
- I decided to stay home instead of going to the party. A1
Past Participle of "Decide" — Decided
The past participle of "decide" is "decided" — the same form as the past simple, since "decide" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have decided") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was decided").
- I decided to stay home instead of going to the party. A1
Is "Decide" Regular or Irregular?
"Decide" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "decided". The 3rd-person singular present is "decides" and the gerund/present participle is "deciding".
Conjugation pattern: regular -ed
How to Pronounce "Decide" and Its Forms
Decide: /dɪˈsaɪd/ — Stress pattern: oO
Stress the second syllable: dih-SIDE. The 'ide' part rhymes with 'wide' and 'side'.
Common mispronunciation of "decide"
Sometimes pronounced as DEE-side instead of dih-SIDE; the stress should be on the second syllable.
Syllable breakdown: de · cide
How to Use "Decide" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'decide to' + verb (I decided to leave) or 'decide on' + noun (I decided on pizza). Add 'between' for comparing options.
S + V + to-infinitiveS + V + on + nounS + V + between + noun + and + noun
Example Sentences with "Decide" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: We need to decide on a meeting time before Friday. A1
- Simple Past: I decided to stay home instead of going to the party. A1
- Simple Future: The judge will decide the case after hearing all the evidence. A2
Common Collocations with "Decide"
- decide to do — We decided to take a different route.
- decide on — Have you decided on a date for the wedding?
- decide together — Let's decide together what we should do.
- difficult to decide — It was difficult to decide between the two offers.
- finally decide — She finally decided to accept the job.
When to Use "Decide" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- choose — for selecting one option from multiple possibilities
- determine — when making a decision after investigation or analysis
- settle — when ending uncertainty or reaching final agreement
Common Mistakes with "Decide"
-
Wrong: I am deciding to go tomorrow.
Correct: I have decided to go tomorrow. / I've decided to go.
"Decide" usually appears in simple present or past, not continuous. Continuous suggests ongoing deliberation. -
Wrong: She decide to quit her job.
Correct: She decided to quit her job. / She has decided to quit.
Use past tense "decided" for completed action; add "s" for present 3sg. -
Wrong: They decided about moving abroad.
Correct: They decided to move abroad. / They decided on moving abroad.
"Decide to + verb" (more common) vs. "decide on + noun/gerund" (less common).
Origin and Etymology of "Decide"
From Latin decidere: de- (away from) + caedere (to cut). Originally meant to cut off debate.
Decision-making is a core English speech act. Phrases like 'Have you decided?' or 'I've decided' are extremely common in daily interaction.
Other Forms of "Decide"
- Noun: decision
Conjugation Tables for "Decide"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not decide · He does not decide
- Simple past: I did not decide · She did not decide
- Present perfect: I have not decided · He has not decided
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you decide? · Does he decide?
- Simple past: Did you decide?
- Present perfect: Have you decided?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is decided
- Simple past passive: It was decided
- Present perfect passive: It has been decided
Frequently Asked Questions About "Decide"
- Is "decide" regular or irregular?
- "decide" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "decided".
- What is the past tense of "decide"?
- The simple past of "decide" is "decided".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "decide"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I decide every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am deciding right now."
- What's a common mistake with "decide"?
- "Decide" usually appears in simple present or past, not continuous. Continuous suggests ongoing deliberation. Wrong: "I am deciding to go tomorrow." Correct: "I have decided to go tomorrow. / I've decided to go."