chose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “chose” mean?
past simple tense of the verb 'choose' – selected or picked one option from multiple possibilities in the past.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
past simple tense of the verb 'choose' – selected or picked one option from multiple possibilities in the past
decided on or preferred something after consideration; made a selection or judgment in a past situation
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; identical pronunciation patterns
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties; identical semantic field
Frequency
Equally common and fundamental in both varieties
Grammar
How to Use “chose” in a Sentence
Subject + chose + objectSubject + chose + between X and YSubject + chose + to + infinitiveSubject + chose + from + rangeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chose” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She chose the university in Edinburgh for its reputation.
- They chose to holiday in Cornwall last summer.
- The committee chose the most experienced candidate.
American English
- He chose the college in Texas for its football program.
- We chose to vacation in Florida last winter.
- The board chose the most qualified applicant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when describing past decisions about strategies, hires, investments, or options (e.g., 'The board chose the merger option')
Academic
Common in describing research methodology, sample selection, or theoretical frameworks (e.g., 'The study chose a qualitative approach')
Everyday
Most frequent in personal decisions about food, clothes, routes, entertainment (e.g., 'I chose the chicken sandwich')
Technical
Used in programming (selecting algorithms), engineering (choosing materials), or design (selecting components)
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chose”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chose”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chose”
- Using 'choosed' instead of 'chose'
- Confusing 'chose' with 'choice'
- Using present 'choose' when past is needed
- Mispronouncing as /tʃəʊs/ instead of /tʃəʊz/
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Choose' is present tense (I choose now), 'chose' is past simple tense (I chose yesterday). 'Chosen' is past participle used with helping verbs (I have chosen).
No, 'choosed' is never correct. 'Choose' is an irregular verb with past tense 'chose' and past participle 'chosen'.
No, 'chose' always refers to past decisions. For future decisions, use 'will choose' or 'am going to choose'.
UK: /tʃəʊz/ (like 'ch' + 'ow' + 'z'); US: /tʃoʊz/ (like 'ch' + 'oh' + 'z'). The final sound is voiced /z/, not /s/.
past simple tense of the verb 'choose' – selected or picked one option from multiple possibilities in the past.
Chose is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chose your poison”
- “chose your battles”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I choose shoes' → 'I chose shoes'. The vowel changes from 'oo' sound to 'oh' sound in the past tense.
Conceptual Metaphor
Selection as picking fruit from a tree; decision-making as path selection; choice as tool acquisition
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'chose' correctly?