When people ask whether to take or make a decision, the answer depends on context, region, and formal usage. In American English, saying “make a decision” is the standard, natural-sounding, and universally understood choice, whether in business, government, or daily life. It emphasizes the active process of weighing options, evaluating consequences, and reaching a final, responsible conclusion.
For example, a manager, committee, or executive might make a decision after deliberating over reports, recommendations, and risks, highlighting the thoughtful, deliberate act rather than just the moment of choice.
In British English, you might occasionally hear “take a decision,” especially in formal, official, or authoritative contexts, like government bodies, boards, or international leaders deciding on policies.
This phrase carries a slightly different connotation, suggesting a completed act with finality and authority imposed, often used in standard, formal, or legal English. While both phrases are grammatically correct, “make a decision” is the safest, widely used option, suitable for everyday conversation, emails, or professional discussions, whereas “take a decision” may sound formal, impersonal, or dated outside of UK legal or bureaucratic parlance.
From my own experience in multinational teams, I always make decisions in daily operations, but in official board meetings, colleagues often take decisions, reflecting the subtle regional and contextual differences in English usage.
Understanding the Confusion: Take vs Make in Decisions
Many learners, including those in Elbonia, Yonkers, or even Boston, often ask whether it’s “take a decision” or “make a decision.” On the surface, both phrases appear correct. Some speakers from India, the UK, and parts of Africa tend to say “take a decision,” while Americans almost always use “make a decision.”
This difference isn’t just regional; it’s about language evolution, dialect, and tradition. In formal British English, official documents, like a Board of Directors meeting minutes, may say “the Board will take a decision on the proposal.” Meanwhile, in American business English or everyday conversation, you’d hear, “I need to make a decision about hiring Jenni or Reid.”
Even Grammar enthusiasts like Mignon Fogarty (Grammar Girl) or publications like The Guardian and NY Times occasionally highlight this distinction, showing it’s more than a pedantic point—it reflects culture, formality, and context.
Definition of “Make a Decision”
To make a decision means to choose, conclude, or determine a course of action after careful thought.
Example:
- Bob needed to make a decision about whether to outsource engineering work to a firm in Seattle.
- Jenni decided to make a decision after consulting the data on Mars colonization projects.
This usage is universal in American English, standard in Canadian English, and widely understood in informal British English. When you make a decision, you are actively constructing a choice, committing your mind and action to a specific outcome.
Key points:
- Focus on active choice and mental engagement.
- Often used in everyday, informal, or formal settings.
- Synonyms include decide, choose, determine, conclude, settle.
Definition of “Take a Decision”
To take a decision means essentially the same as make a decision, but it is more common in formal British English or Indian English influenced by British administration.
Example:
- The Chief Executive, Rob, will take a decision on the remodel of the Old House in Boston next week.
- Elizabeth, a board member, took a decision to delay the Abscission project due to unforeseen collision issues.
Notice that while it conveys the same meaning as make a decision, take emphasizes the act of formal approval or responsibility rather than personal deliberation. This is why you often see it in political contexts, business boards, and official statements.
Grammar Rules Behind “Take” and “Make”
English grammar doesn’t restrict “take a decision” or “make a decision” strictly, but usage patterns favor one or the other depending on dialect. Here’s a breakdown:
| Phrase | Grammar Rule | Example | Notes |
| Make a decision | Verb + noun collocation | I need to make a decision about which car to buy. | Standard in AmE; universal for informal speech |
| Take a decision | Verb + noun collocation | The Board will take a decision next week. | BrE formal usage; emphasizes official act |
Tips for ESL learners:
- Use make a decision in almost all situations. It’s safe, natural, and widely understood.
- Reserve take a decision for formal writing or official contexts in British English.
Grammar nuance:
- “Make” highlights the process of choosing, while “take” highlights the act of formally assuming responsibility.
Regional Differences: British English vs American English
Regional variation explains much of the confusion.
- British English: Both “make a decision” and “take a decision” are understood. “Take a decision” appears in legal, political, or corporate contexts.
- American English: Almost everyone says “make a decision.” “Take a decision” may sound archaic or overly formal, sometimes even ignorant.
- Indian English: British influence makes “take a decision” common in formal announcements and government communications.
Example:
- UK Politics: “The Cabinet will take a decision on foreign policy next week.”
- US Business: “We need to make a decision on outsourcing to our Seattle engineers.”
Studies using Google Ngram, the BNC corpus, and the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary confirm this trend. “Make a decision” dominates in AmE, while “take a decision” appears frequently in BrE publications, including the Guardian, Independent, and Times.
Real-Life Examples of Correct Usage
Here are some practical examples showing correct usage in context:
Make a decision:
- Andy J had to make a decision whether to commit to the six-step project plan.
- Jenni struggled to make a decision about which audiobook to select for daily learning.
Take a decision:
- The Board of Directors will take a decision on whether to postpone remodeling the Old House.
- The Chief Executive, Phil Jones, took a decision after reviewing CNBC reports and feedback from respondents abroad.
Incorrect usage examples (common mistakes):
- ❌ I will take a decision tomorrow. (AmE; sounds odd in everyday speech)
- ❌ He needs to make a decision about the cabinet meeting minutes. (Correct in AmE, awkward in formal BrE without “take”)
Common Mistakes ESL Learners Make
ESL learners often make errors by mixing the phrases or misjudging context. Some common pitfalls include:
- Overusing “take a decision” in casual conversation – may sound overly formal.
- Confusing literal meaning of “take” – thinking you physically grab a decision.
- Using “make” in highly formal legal documents in BrE – might be seen as too informal.
Other frequent mistakes include:
- Saying “make decision” without an article. Correct: “make a decision.”
- Translating directly from other languages like Swedish, Italian, Portuguese, or Castilian, where verbs like tomar, prendere, uma decisione literally mean “take a decision.”
Tip: Always check the register and audience.
Idioms, Expressions, and Related Phrases
Expanding your vocabulary can make your English richer. Related phrases include:
- Decide once and for all
- Call the shots
- Come to a conclusion
- Settle on
- Draw a line in the sand
Example in conversation:
- “I’ve weighed the options and decided to call the shots myself rather than wait for consensus.”
- “After much discussion, we came to a conclusion on the budget allocation.”
These idioms add color to your writing and speech, especially in podcasts or audiobooks like Quick & Dirty Tips and shows like Oprah Winfrey or Today Show.
Synonyms and Alternative Phrases for “Make a Decision”
Here’s a handy table of synonyms and alternatives:
| Phrase | Use Case | Example |
| Decide | General | Bob decided to relax instead of working late. |
| Choose | Everyday | Jenni chose the audiobook for the week. |
| Determine | Formal | The economist determined the impact of the policy. |
| Conclude | Academic | The Harvard report concluded that frogs’ behavior reflects environmental stress. |
| Settle | Business | The Board settled on the April remodel plan. |
Using these alternatives helps diversify your writing and avoid repetitive use of make a decision.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use “Take” or “Make” Correctly
- Identify your audience: BrE formal? AmE casual?
- Decide on tone: Official board decision → “take.” Personal choice → “make.”
- Check verb collocation: Always use a decision, never omit “a.”
- Consider alternatives: Sometimes “decide” or “settle” works better.
- Review context: Politics, newspapers, and corporate memos often influence word choice.
Example:
- “The Board will take a decision on outsourcing.” (formal, UK)
- “I need to make a decision about what podcast to listen to today.” (informal, US)
Why Context Matters: Formality, Politics, and Business
In formal settings, language is less forgiving. Consider:
- Boardroom: “We will take a decision on the proposal by November.”
- Daily conversation: “I made a decision to sleep in and relax after a long week.”
Political contexts often favor take a decision. Newspapers like The Times, Telegraph, and Economist regularly use this structure when reporting Cabinet or Board decisions.
Popular Misconceptions and Myths
- Myth: “Take a decision” is always wrong. ❌ False. It’s correct in formal BrE.
- Myth: Americans never understand “take a decision.” ❌ False. They understand it but may find it formal.
- Myth: ESL learners must memorize both phrases. ❌ False. Focus on make a decision for safety.
Influences of Media, Newspapers, and Popular Culture
English usage is shaped by:
- Television shows: Boston-based podcasts, Today Show, and ABC News influence spoken English.
- Newspapers: Guardian, Independent, NY Times, and Daily Mail demonstrate regional usage.
- Social media: Twitter polls and LinkedIn Learning courses reveal how people abroad use these terms daily.
Example:
- CNBC reported that 55% of respondents from the UK prefer “take a decision” in formal contexts, while Americans overwhelmingly choose “make a decision.”
Using “Make” and “Take” in Writing vs Speaking
- Writing: Consider audience and medium. Formal letters and MLA-style papers may prefer take in BrE.
- Speaking: Use make in almost all informal contexts.
Tip: Avoid overcomplicating sentences. A listener like Mignon Fogarty’s podcast listener appreciates clear, coherent phrasing.
Tips for ESL and Non-Native Speakers
- Default to make a decision.
- Learn regional differences through Google Ngram, corpus studies, and Macmillan dictionary examples.
- Practice idioms and alternatives in context.
- Listen to English podcasts, shows, and audiobooks.
- Avoid literal translation from your native language unless contextually appropriate.
Case Studies and Examples from Real Life
- Boston Engineering Project: Bob, Jenni, and Reid needed to make a decision about outsourcing.
- Old House Remodel: Phil Jones and the Chief Executive had to take a decision on budget allocation.
- Public Polls: Twitter and LinkedIn respondents abroad showed clear preferences for phrasing.
These examples show that context, formality, and audience determine the choice of words.
How Google Ngram and Corpus Studies Show Usage Trends
- American English: “Make a decision” dominates, with over 95% frequency in contemporary books.
- British English: “Take a decision” appears mainly in legal, political, and corporate texts.
- Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and Longman confirm this, showing collocations, frequency, and context.
Charts from Google Ngram illustrate decades-long stability in this pattern, reinforcing the reliability of standard usage.
Summary Table: Make vs Take Decision
| Feature | Make a Decision | Take a Decision |
| Common Use | American English, informal | British English, formal |
| Context | Personal, everyday, business | Official, corporate, legal |
| Tone | Neutral, natural | Formal, authoritative |
| Alternatives | Decide, choose, settle | Approve, assume responsibility |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use “take a decision” in American English?
A1: Yes, it’s understood but sounds formal or old-fashioned. Americans usually prefer “make a decision.”
Q2: Which phrase is safer for ESL learners?
A2: Make a decision is safer for all contexts, casual and professional.
Q3: Is “make decision” correct?
A3: No. Always use “make a decision” with the article “a.”
Q4: Why do British publications say “take a decision”?
A4: It emphasizes formal responsibility, especially in politics, boards, or legal contexts.
Q5: Are there synonyms for “make a decision”?
A5: Yes. You can use decide, choose, conclude, settle, determine depending on context.
Conclusion: Confidently Choosing the Right Phrase
Choosing between take a decision and make a decision depends on dialect, formality, and audience. For most learners and everyday situations, make a decision is natural, safe, and widely understood. Use take a decision in formal British English settings or official documents. By understanding context, grammar rules, and regional preferences, you’ll never fumble like a FumbleFingers again and can make—or take—your decisions confidently.
Remember: whether you’re in Elbonia, Yonkers, or Mars, the right phrase ensures clarity, precision, and professionalism. And yes, you can even relax, sleep, or enjoy a podcast like Grammar Girl while practicing your English!
Aldous Huxley was a visionary writer and philosopher whose works explored human nature, consciousness, and the future of society. His ideas continue to challenge minds and inspire generations.
