Grammar

[Anonymous]

What is right " Take a decision" or "Make a decision" Pl. refer to sentence below where it was used:

Get daily calorie intake reports with report.com's online calorie calculator. Get specific information about what you eat and take better health decisions.

 

[twostep]

What is right " Take a decision" or "Make a decision" Pl. refer to sentence below where it was used:

Get daily calorie intake reports with report.com's online calorie calculator. Get specific information about what you eat and take better health decisions.

make (active)
take (passive)

 

[Francois]

Not sure about the active/passive distinction.
'take' a decision is reported to be more BE. Stick to 'make' if you want to be on the safe side.

FRC

 

[Ulli]

Not sure about the active/passive distinction.
'take' a decision is reported to be more BE. Stick to 'make' if you want to be on the safe side.

FRC

Hi Francois,

Yes, it's common to use "make a decision", "take" is "new" to me :wink: .


Ulli

 

[gonghai]

well in canada we only use make a decision
i have never heard anyone use take a decision

 

[bmo]

I got 77,300 listings from a Google search of "take a decision." This is what I got from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

Take:
(2) : to make (a decision) especially with finality or authority.

I think taking a decision is stronger than making one.

 

[bmo]

Teachers, agree?

 

[Tdol]

I agree- I'd only use it when talking about people with authority. I wouldn't 'take a decision' to go the the cinema tonight. ;-)

 

[bmo]

Thanks. I saw a website urging a government agency taking a decision. That must be it.

BMO

 

[Tdol]

That's just the kind of context it could be used in. ;-)