Cool MateAll you have to decide vs Choose vs Determine vs Pick vs Resolve
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
All you have to decide
Top 2,000 (common)
Choose
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Determine
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Pick
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Resolve
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| All you have to decide | Choose | Determine | Pick | Resolve | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɔːl juː hæv tə dɪˈsaɪd//🇺🇸 //ɔl ju hæv tə dɪˈsaɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃuːz/","/ˈtʃuːzɪz/","/tʃəʊz/","/ˈtʃəʊzn/","/ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃuːz/","/ˈtʃuːzɪz/","/tʃəʊz/","/ˈtʃəʊzn/","/ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈtɜːmɪn/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnz/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnd/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnz/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pɪk/","/pɪks/","/pɪkt/","/ˈpɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pɪk/","/pɪks/","/pɪkt/","/ˈpɪkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈzɒlv/","/rɪˈzɒlvz/","/rɪˈzɒlvd/","/rɪˈzɒlvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈzɑːlv/","/rɪˈzɑːlvz/","/rɪˈzɑːlvd/","/rɪˈzɑːlvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | You just need to choose. | to pick one thing from a group | To find out or decide something. | To choose or select something. | To find a solution or fix a problem. |
| Example | At the end of the day, all you have to decide is where to go for dinner. | You can choose any dessert from the menu. | It is essential to determine the main cause of the problem. | I will pick an apple from the tree. | We need to resolve this issue before the deadline. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 | B1 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | have to decide, need to decide, choosing what to decide, decide on an action | carefully, wisely, freely, be able to, be free to, can, between, from, pick and choose | exactly, precisely, reliably, try to, be used to, help to, biologically, culturally, genetically | at random, randomly, out, as, for, freshly picked | completely, fully, partially, attempt to, take steps to, try to, by, through, an attempt to resolve something, an effort to resolve something, a means of resolving something |
| Antonyms | - | reject, discard | confuse, neglect, ignore | reject, discard, ignore | complicate, aggravate, escalate |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'to' in 'all you have decide', Using 'decide' without an object, Misplacing emphasis on the complexity of the decision | Using 'chose' instead of 'choose' in present tense, 'Choosing' without an object, e.g., 'I choose.' | Using 'determine' in the wrong tense., Confused with 'decide' or 'discover'., Incorrectly using as a standalone without an object. | 'Pick' is often confused with 'choose', but 'pick' implies a more casual selection., Learners sometimes forget to include an object after 'pick'. For example, say 'pick a fruit', not just 'pick'., Overuse 'pick' when 'select' is more appropriate in formal writing. | Using 'resolve' with an incorrect context, like emotions instead of problems., Confusing 'resolve' with 'solve' - they are related but not interchangeable., Mispronouncing the word. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize simplicity in choice. Suitable in both informal and formal contexts but avoid in overly casual situations. | Use 'choose' when you have multiple options. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using 'choose' for situations that require consent or approval. | Use 'determine' when making a decision based on information or evidence. It's appropriate in both written and spoken context but can sound formal in casual conversation. | Use 'pick' when choosing items, people, or options. It is generally neutral but can be informal in contexts like 'pick a movie'. Avoid using it in very formal situations. | Use 'resolve' in contexts like problem-solving or decision-making. It’s suitable in both spoken and written English, but more common in formal discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: All you have to decide vs Choose vs Determine vs Pick vs Resolve
What's the difference between All you have to decide, Choose, Determine, Pick, and Resolve?
All you have to decide: You just need to choose. Choose: to pick one thing from a group Determine: To find out or decide something. Pick: To choose or select something. Resolve: To find a solution or fix a problem.
Which is more advanced: All you have to decide, Choose, Determine, Pick, and Resolve?
Resolve is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
All you have to decide: At the end of the day, all you have to decide is where to go for dinner. Choose: You can choose any dessert from the menu. Determine: It is essential to determine the main cause of the problem. Pick: I will pick an apple from the tree. Resolve: We need to resolve this issue before the deadline.
Can I use All you have to decide, Choose, Determine, Pick, and Resolve interchangeably?
Not always. All you have to decide, Choose, Determine, Pick, and Resolve are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.