décider/de.si.de/
verb · A2 · Frequency 465
verb
Meanings
to decide, to make a decision, to make up one’s mind
Can be intransitive to mean making up one’s mind (Je décide), or transitive with an object to decide something (Décider quelque chose), and in the structure décider de faire quelque chose.
to persuade, to convince, to get someone to decide
Used with a human object, often in the pattern décider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose, meaning to persuade or induce someone to decide or take action.
Examples
Nous devons décider avant la fermeture du magasin.
We must decide before the store closes.
Elle préfère décider après avoir comparé les deux offres.
She prefers to decide after comparing the two offers.
Ces résultats pourraient décider le patient à accepter le traitement.
These results could persuade the patient to accept the treatment.
Collocations
- décider de partirto decide to leave
- décider quelqu’un à agirto persuade someone to act
Common mistakes
décider à partir
décider de partir
To express “to decide to do something,” décider is followed by the preposition de and then an infinitive.
Related words
antonymhésiterto hesitate, to be uncertain or indecisive about doing something
Grammar note
Décider is an essentially pronominal verb and must be used with the corresponding personal reflexive pronoun.
verb
Meanings
to decide, to make a decision, to make up one’s mind
Can be intransitive to mean making up one’s mind (Je décide), or transitive with an object to decide something (Décider quelque chose), and in the structure décider de faire quelque chose.
to persuade, to convince, to get someone to decide
Used with a human object, often in the pattern décider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose, meaning to persuade or induce someone to decide or take action.
Examples
En décidant de partir tôt, nous avons évité les embouteillages.
By deciding to leave early, we avoided the traffic.
Décidant de rester calme, elle a répondu aux questions avec précision.
Deciding to remain calm, she answered the questions precisely.
En décidant son collègue à accepter la mission, il a débloqué le projet.
By persuading his colleague to accept the assignment, he got the project moving.
Grammar note
Décider is an essentially pronominal verb and must be used with the corresponding personal reflexive pronoun.
verb
Meanings
to decide, to make a decision, to make up one’s mind
Can be intransitive to mean making up one’s mind (Je décide), or transitive with an object to decide something (Décider quelque chose), and in the structure décider de faire quelque chose.
to persuade, to convince, to get someone to decide
Used with a human object, often in the pattern décider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose, meaning to persuade or induce someone to decide or take action.
Examples
Nous avons décidé de partir avant la nuit.
We decided to leave before nightfall.
Le directeur a décidé de reporter la réunion.
The director decided to postpone the meeting.
Le témoignage de son ami a décidé Marc à accepter le poste.
His friend's testimony persuaded Marc to accept the position.
Grammar note
Décider is an essentially pronominal verb and must be used with the corresponding personal reflexive pronoun.
verb
Meanings
to decide, to make a decision, to make up one’s mind
Can be intransitive to mean making up one’s mind (Je décide), or transitive with an object to decide something (Décider quelque chose), and in the structure décider de faire quelque chose.
to persuade, to convince, to get someone to decide
Used with a human object, often in the pattern décider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose, meaning to persuade or induce someone to decide or take action.
Examples
Elle décide de partir avant la tombée de la nuit.
She decides to leave before nightfall.
Après plusieurs réunions, le comité décide de reporter le vote.
After several meetings, the committee decides to postpone the vote.
Le témoignage de son frère le décide à accepter le poste.
His brother's testimony convinces him to accept the position.
Grammar note
Décider is an essentially pronominal verb and must be used with the corresponding personal reflexive pronoun.
verb
Meanings
to decide, to make a decision, to make up one’s mind
Can be intransitive to mean making up one’s mind (Je décide), or transitive with an object to decide something (Décider quelque chose), and in the structure décider de faire quelque chose.
to persuade, to convince, to get someone to decide
Used with a human object, often in the pattern décider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose, meaning to persuade or induce someone to decide or take action.
Examples
Tu décides de rester chez toi parce que tu es fatigué.
You decide to stay home because you are tired.
Tu décides enfin quel train prendre pour rentrer.
You finally decide which train to take home.
Tu décides ton frère à présenter sa candidature au poste.
You persuade your brother to apply for the position.
Grammar note
Décider is an essentially pronominal verb and must be used with the corresponding personal reflexive pronoun.