choose
A1Neutral - used in all registers from formal to informal.
Definition
Meaning
To select one or more things from a range of possibilities.
To decide on a course of action; to exercise preference or judgment in making a selection; to prefer or desire something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A ditransitive verb often implying a deliberate decision. The infinitive following 'choose to' indicates a conscious decision to perform an action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Minor spelling differences in past participle: 'chosen' is universal. No lexical choice differences.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
choose + NP (I chose the blue one)choose + between + NP (choose between two options)choose + from + NP (choose from the menu)choose + to-infinitive (He chose to leave)choose + NP + NP (Choose me a winner)choose + NP + as/for + NP (They chose him as their leader)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pick and choose”
- “nothing/not much to choose between”
- “choose your battles”
- “there is little to choose between them”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Selecting suppliers, candidates, strategies, or investment options. (The board will choose the new CEO next week.)
Academic
Describing methodological selection or theoretical preference. (The researcher must choose an appropriate sampling method.)
Everyday
Making everyday decisions about food, clothes, entertainment, etc. (What did you choose for your main course?)
Technical
Selecting parameters, settings, or options in a technical system. (Choose 'repair' from the boot menu.)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You'll need to choose your A-level subjects soon.
- I can't choose between the curry and the pie.
- She was chosen to represent the constituency.
American English
- You'll need to choose your college electives soon.
- I can't choose between the tacos and the burger.
- He was chosen to represent the district.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'choose' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Choosily' is rare and related to 'choosy'.
American English
- N/A - 'choose' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Choosily' is rare and related to 'choosy'.
adjective
British English
- The chosen candidate will be notified by post.
- They followed a carefully chosen route.
American English
- The chosen candidate will be notified by mail.
- They followed a carefully chosen route.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Choose a number from one to ten.
- I choose chocolate ice cream.
- Did you choose this book?
- You must choose between studying now or going out.
- Why did you choose to learn English?
- We chose him as team captain because he's responsible.
- Faced with two equally compelling job offers, she found it difficult to choose.
- The committee will choose the winner based on originality and impact.
- Consumers are increasingly choosing sustainable products.
- The director was chosen for her visionary approach to community theatre.
- One may choose to interpret the data optimistically or pessimistically.
- Delegates must choose from a plethora of concurrent sessions at the conference.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of SHOES. You have to CHOOSE which shoes to wear.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHOOSING IS TAKING A PATH (e.g., 'choose a career path'), CHOOSING IS SEPARATING (e.g., 'choose one from many'), AGENCY IS THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'выбирать' meaning 'to vote' – English 'choose' is not used for casting a ballot in elections.
- Avoid overusing 'select' as a synonym; 'choose' is more common and natural in everyday speech.
- The construction 'choose to do something' translates to 'решить сделать что-либо', emphasizing decision, not just selection.
Common Mistakes
- *I choose him for the team yesterday. (Incorrect past tense. Correct: I chose him...)
- *You can choose among three options. (Usually 'choose between' for two, 'choose from/among' for more)
- Confusing 'choose' (present) with 'chose' (past) and 'chosen' (past participle).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'choose' correctly in the past tense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Choose' is the most general and common. 'Select' implies a careful, formal, or systematic choice. 'Pick' is more informal and often used for everyday, less consequential choices.
The past tense is 'chose' (/tʃəʊz/). The past participle is 'chosen' (/ˈtʃəʊ.zən/), used with 'have/has/had' (e.g., I have chosen).
Use 'choose between' when the decision involves two (or sometimes a few distinct) options. Use 'choose from' when selecting from a larger, undefined group or range.
Yes, in a ditransitive pattern meaning 'select something for someone': 'Choose me a good seat' is equivalent to 'Choose a good seat for me'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.