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Karol Silski 5217 Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Decided vs. have decided

People ask about this one a lot online, but I still haven't been able to find a satysfying answer, so I am bringing the topic up once again. First of all when talking about New Year's resolutons would rather say

I decided to go on holidays this year.

I've decided to go on holiday year.


Secondly in a everyday situation as a Native speaker would you rather say I decided or I've decided.

Fot example.

I decided to eat here.

vs.

I've decided to eat here.


I know that if you say that you decided something in the specified past it's gonna be past simple. But what if you don't specify when you made the decision.

  

Top answer

Hi Part of the problem may be that 'decide' is close to being a stative verb. That kind of verb is used to describe a state of mind or a feeling. Sometimes we use 'decide' at a definite moment: - On 14th December I decided to give up smoking But very often, the process of deciding happens slowly and we can't say that there was a definite moment: - I can't say when but I have decided to give up smoking It's a good question and I don't think there's a right answer.

— Dave_anon

  • Hi Part of the problem may be that 'decide' is close to being a stative verb.
  • That kind of verb is used to describe a state of mind or a feeling.
  • Sometimes we use 'decide' at a definite moment: - On 14th December I decided to give up smoking But very often, the process of deciding happens slowly and we can't say that there was a definite moment: - I can't say when but I have decided to give up smoking It's a good question and I don't think there's a right answer.
  • Sometimes we decide things at a given moment and at other times there is just a state of mind.
  • That decides which tense to use Hope this helps Dave
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2 Answers
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Hi

Part of the problem may be that 'decide' is close to being a stative verb. That kind of verb is used to describe a state of mind or a feeling. Sometimes we use 'decide' at a definite moment:

- On 14th December I decided to give up smoking

But very often, the process of deciding happens slowly and we can't say that there was a definite moment:

- I can't say when but

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Karol Silski 52171) I decided to go on holidays on holiday this year.
2) I've decided to go on holiday this year.

I have a slight preference for 2), but I might say either one of these in any given situation, whether as a New Year's resolution or not.

Sentence 1) su

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