English Vocabulary

to make a decision or to take a decision

Fugendichter

User since 2008
Posts: 588

16 April 2013

What's more common? to make a decision or to take a decision?

5 comments

Thierry
User since 2012
Posts: 54
16 April 2013

Hi too..., My lesson of the day : ---- Note: To make a decision plutôt que to take a decision. Même si to take a decision existe en anglais (en particulier britannique), cette construction provient d'un gallicisme; elle n'est que très rarement employée (et reflète plutôt l'idée de choix parmi plusieurs décisions à prendre). Ainsi utilisez plutôt to MAKE a decision, véritable équivalent du français 'prendre une décision': I made the decision to sell the company. J'ai pris la décision de vendre l'entreprise. After interviewing all the applicants, we took the decision to hire the second candidate. Après avoir reçu tout le monde en entretien, nous avons pris la décision d'engager le deuxième candidat. ---- TG
Hi too..., My lesson of the day : ---- Note: To make a decision plutôt que to take a decision. Même si to take a decision existe en anglais (en particulier britannique), cette construction provient d'un gallicisme; elle n'est que très rarement employée (et reflète plutôt l'idée de choix parmi plusieurs décisions à prendre). Ainsi utilisez plutôt to MAKE a decision, véritable équivalent du français 'prendre une décision': I made the decision to sell the company. J'ai pris la décision de vendre l'entreprise. After interviewing all the applicants, we took the decision to hire the second candidate. Après avoir reçu tout le monde en entretien, nous avons pris la décision d'engager le deuxième candidat. ---- TG
Idoine91
User since 2012
Posts: 49
19 April 2013

Hi, and thank you Thierry !
Just a little point too : when you explain what decision you choose, you use 'THE decision'; if not, you use 'A decision'. With 'Take', it's always 'THE decision', because the choice/selection is always specified.
Example : I had to make a decision between cheese and dessert. I made the decision to sell my car.
Hi, and thank you Thierry ! Just a little point too : when you explain what decision you choose, you use 'THE decision'; if not, you use 'A decision'. With 'Take', it's always 'THE decision', because the choice/selection is always specified. Example : I had to make a decision between cheese and dessert. I made the decision to sell my car.
Thierry
User since 2012
Posts: 54
19 April 2013

Hi Idoine91, Thanks for the clarification. I'd like also to point out that my answer was a quotation of my daily lesson... My English level doesn't allow me this kind of explanation ! Nice day to you
Hi Idoine91, Thanks for the clarification. I'd like also to point out that my answer was a quotation of my daily lesson... My English level doesn't allow me this kind of explanation ! Nice day to you
Fugendichter
User since 2008
Posts: 588
21 April 2013

Thank you for your detailed answer, it's a great pleasure to me to be instructed in that perfect way by you both! Have a nice week! Excuse my unperfect English, I don't have enough daily practice in building sentences.
Thank you for your detailed answer, it's a great pleasure to me to be instructed in that perfect way by you both! Have a nice week! Excuse my unperfect English, I don't have enough daily practice in building sentences.
Paul in Liverpool
User since 2013
Posts: 12
2 Oct. 2013

It is always make a decision. The decision involves making your mind up. I am attempting to learn French. Aprendre Francais. Would anyone need help with their English in return for helping me with my French. By email? psg2000@gmail.com
It is always make a decision. The decision involves making your mind up. I am attempting to learn French. Aprendre Francais. Would anyone need help with their English in return for helping me with my French. By email? psg2000@gmail.com

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