Cool MateAll you have to decide vs Determine vs Pick vs Resolve vs Select
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
All you have to decide
Top 2,000 (common)
Determine
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Pick
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Resolve
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Select
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| All you have to decide | Determine | Pick | Resolve | Select | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɔːl juː hæv tə dɪˈsaɪd//🇺🇸 //ɔl ju hæv tə dɪˈsaɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈtɜːmɪn/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnz/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnd/","/dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnz/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/","/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pɪk/","/pɪks/","/pɪkt/","/ˈpɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pɪk/","/pɪks/","/pɪkt/","/ˈpɪkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈzɒlv/","/rɪˈzɒlvz/","/rɪˈzɒlvd/","/rɪˈzɒlvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈzɑːlv/","/rɪˈzɑːlvz/","/rɪˈzɑːlvd/","/rɪˈzɑːlvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/sɪˈlekt/","/sɪˈlekts/","/sɪˈlektɪd/","/sɪˈlektɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sɪˈlekt/","/sɪˈlekts/","/sɪˈlektɪd/","/sɪˈlektɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | You just need to choose. | To find out or decide something. | To choose or select something. | To find a solution or fix a problem. | To choose something or someone from a group. |
| Example | At the end of the day, all you have to decide is where to go for dinner. | 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. | Please select the option that best fits your needs. |
| 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 | - | B1 | A2 | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | have to decide, need to decide, choosing what to decide, decide on an action | 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 | carefully, specially, specifically, allow somebody to, enable somebody to, according to, as, for, be selected on the basis of, well selected |
| Antonyms | - | confuse, neglect, ignore | reject, discard, ignore | complicate, aggravate, escalate | reject, dismiss |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'to' in 'all you have decide', Using 'decide' without an object, Misplacing emphasis on the complexity of the decision | 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. | Confused with 'elect' which means to choose someone for a position., Using 'select' as a standalone word without an object., Mistaking 'select' for 'collect' which has a different meaning. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize simplicity in choice. Suitable in both informal and formal contexts but avoid in overly casual situations. | 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. | Use 'select' when talking about making a choice, especially in formal contexts or when referring to choices in applications or processes. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler words like 'pick' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: All you have to decide vs Determine vs Pick vs Resolve vs Select
What's the difference between All you have to decide, Determine, Pick, Resolve, and Select?
All you have to decide: You just need to choose. Determine: To find out or decide something. Pick: To choose or select something. Resolve: To find a solution or fix a problem. Select: To choose something or someone from a group.
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. 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. Select: Please select the option that best fits your needs.
Can I use All you have to decide, Determine, Pick, Resolve, and Select interchangeably?
Not always. All you have to decide, Determine, Pick, Resolve, and Select 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.