Decide Not To vs. Decide To Not – Which is Correct?

“Decide not to” is the grammatically standard and generally preferred phrasing in English. While “decide to not” is not strictly incorrect and is sometimes used, it employs a split infinitive, which many writers and grammarians still advise against for clarity and traditional elegance. Opt for “decide not to” for most contexts.

Decide Not To or Decide To Not – Which is Correct?

The core difference between “decide not to” and “decide to not” lies in the placement of the negative adverb “not” within an infinitive phrase. “Decide not to” places “not” before the infinitive “to,” maintaining the traditional and generally preferred structure of an infinitive phrase. This construction is widely accepted, flows naturally, and avoids what is known as a split infinitive.

Conversely, “decide to not” inserts “not” between “to” and the verb, thereby splitting the infinitive. While modern English grammar has become more lenient regarding split infinitives, and they are not always considered a grave error, many still find them less elegant or formal. Therefore, “decide not to” remains the safer and more idiomatic choice for most writing and speech.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the preferred form, think of “not” as negating the entire action of the infinitive “to [verb].” It’s most natural to place “not” directly before the “to” that introduces that action. Imagine you’re saying “not [to do something].” Keeping “not” close to the “to” it negates, usually before it, creates a smoother and more conventional sound. For example, “I decided not to go” sounds more natural than “I decided to not go.”

Word/Phrase	Grammatical Status	Usage	Example
decide not to	Standard, Preferred	Generally accepted, avoids a split infinitive. Clear and idiomatic in all contexts.	They decided not to attend the meeting.
decide to not	Acceptable (Split Infinitive)	Less common, often avoided in formal writing. Can sometimes sound slightly awkward, though not strictly incorrect.	She decided to not pursue the offer.

How to Use Decide Not To

The construction “decide not to” is the most natural, common, and widely accepted way to express the negation of an infinitive following the verb “decide.” This phrasing places the adverb “not” directly before the “to + verb” infinitive phrase, maintaining a smooth grammatical flow and adhering to traditional preferences. It is suitable for all registers, from casual conversation to formal academic and professional writing, ensuring clarity and avoiding any potential stylistic objections.

Example 1: The committee decided not to implement the new policy this quarter due to budget constraints.

Example 2: After much thought and deliberation, I ultimately decided not to buy the expensive car.

Example 3: Despite facing considerable pressure, she firmly decided not to compromise her personal values.

What are the different forms of Decide Not To?

Since “decide not to” is a phrase built around the verb “decide,” its forms primarily refer to the conjugations of the verb “decide.” The “not to” part remains constant as it negates the infinitive.

• Present Tense: I/You/We/They decide not to, He/She/It decides not to
• Past Tense: I/You/He/She/It/We/They decided not to
• Future Tense: I/You/He/She/It/We/They will decide not to
• Present Participle (Continuous): I am deciding not to, They are deciding not to
• Past Participle (Perfect): I have decided not to, They had decided not to

Etymology of the word Decide

The word “decide” originates from the Old French décider, which itself comes from the Latin dēcīdere. In Latin, dēcīdere literally meant “to cut off, cut short, settle, determine,” formed from de- “off” and caedere “to cut.” The sense of “to come to a resolution” or “to make a judgment” developed in English during the 16th century, reflecting the idea of “cutting off” alternatives to arrive at a single conclusion.

While focusing on the verb’s conjugation, it’s also useful to consider common decision-making phrases like “Make a Decision” vs. “Take a Decision”.

How to Use Decide To Not

The construction “decide to not” is grammatically understandable but employs a split infinitive, where the adverb “not” is placed between “to” and the base form of the verb. Historically, split infinitives were often considered a grammatical error, though modern usage is more flexible. While it won’t typically lead to misunderstanding, “decide to not” can sound less natural or slightly informal to some speakers and writers. It is generally advised against in formal or highly polished writing, though it can occasionally be used for specific emphasis, making the negation feel more deliberate.

Example 1: He was strongly tempted by the offer, but he ultimately decided to not take the shortcut.

Example 2: The company decided to not release the product until additional safety testing was thoroughly completed.

Example 3: She carefully decided to not respond to the provocative email, choosing to maintain her composure.

What are the different forms of Decide To Not?

Similar to “decide not to,” the forms of “decide to not” primarily depend on the conjugation of the main verb “decide.” The “to not” part remains consistent as it represents the negated infinitive.

• Present Tense: I/You/We/They decide to not, He/She/It decides to not
• Past Tense: I/You/He/She/It/We/They decided to not
• Future Tense: I/You/He/She/It/We/They will decide to not
• Present Participle (Continuous): I am deciding to not, They are deciding to not
• Past Participle (Perfect): I have decided to not, They had decided to not

Etymology of the word Decide

The word “decide” traces its roots back to the Old French décider, which is derived from the Latin dēcīdere. This Latin term meant “to cut off, cut short, settle, determine,” a compound of de- “off” and caedere “to cut.” The meaning evolved in English during the 16th century to signify “to make a resolution” or “to form a judgment,” encapsulating the idea of definitively choosing one path by “cutting off” other possibilities.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts helps clarify why “decide not to” is generally preferred over “decide to not.”

• Split Infinitives: This occurs when an adverb or another word is placed between “to” and the base verb in an infinitive phrase (e.g., “to boldly go,” “to suddenly realize”). While once strictly forbidden, modern grammar is more accepting, but many still prefer to avoid them in formal writing for stylistic reasons.
• Adverb Placement: The positioning of adverbs significantly impacts sentence clarity and nuance. In the case of negative infinitives, placing “not” before “to” is the conventional and often clearest choice, preventing the separation of the infinitive components.
• Infinitive Phrases: These are verb forms that begin with “to” followed by the base form of a verb. They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence. Maintaining the integrity of these phrases by not splitting them is a hallmark of traditional grammatical style.

Examples from Media and Literature

Here are a few examples showcasing the correct and preferred usage of “decide not to” in various contexts.

• “She had decided not to tell him about the unexpected visitor, fearing his reaction.”
• “The city council, after extensive debate, decided not to raise property taxes this year, much to the residents’ relief.”
• “After reviewing the overwhelming evidence, the jury decided not to convict the defendant.”
• “Many tourists decide not to visit the most crowded areas during peak season, opting for quieter spots instead.”
• “I ultimately decided not to worry about things I couldn’t control, finding peace in acceptance.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The team _________ (decide not to / decide to not) launch the new feature until all bugs are resolved.
2. She _________ (decided not to / decided to not) accept the job offer, preferring to stay with her current company.
3. We _________ (decide not to / decide to not) travel during the holidays to avoid the heavy traffic.
4. He _________ (decided not to / decided to not) share his opinion publicly on such a sensitive matter.
5. Despite the unexpected rain, they _________ (decided not to / decided to not) cancel the outdoor picnic.

Answer Key

1. decide not to
2. decided not to
3. decide not to
4. decided not to
5. decided not to

Decide Synonyms

The following table provides synonyms for the core verb “decide,” which forms the basis of both phrases.

Synonym	Definition
determine	To firmly establish or settle something after consideration or investigation.
resolve	To make a firm decision to do something; to settle or find a solution to a problem.
conclude	To bring something to an end; to arrive at a judgment or opinion after reasoning.
opt	To make a choice from a range of possibilities.
choose	To select from a number of alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “decide to not” always wrong?
No, “decide to not” is not strictly incorrect in modern English. While it utilizes a split infinitive, which traditional grammar often advises against, it is generally understood and occasionally used, sometimes for specific emphasis. However, “decide not to” remains the more conventional, elegant, and widely preferred form.

Question 2: What is a split infinitive?
A split infinitive occurs when one or more words are placed between “to” and the base form of a verb in an infinitive phrase (e.g., “to boldly go,” “to suddenly realize”). Historically, this was considered a grammatical error, but its acceptance has grown. Nevertheless, many writers still prefer to avoid them in formal or polished prose.

Question 3: Are there times when “decide to not” is acceptable or even preferred?
While less common, “decide to not” can sometimes be used to place a stronger or more deliberate emphasis on the negation itself. For instance, “I decided to not even try” might convey a more pronounced sense of intentional abstention than “I decided not to even try.” However, such instances are rare, and “decide not to” almost always serves the same communicative purpose effectively and more smoothly.

Conclusion

In the nuanced debate between “decide not to” and “decide to not,” the former stands as the grammatically standard and generally preferred construction. By placing “not” directly before the infinitive “to,” you ensure clarity, adhere to traditional grammatical norms, and avoid the split infinitive that some readers may find jarring. While “decide to not” is not strictly erroneous and might appear in casual contexts, consistently opting for “decide not to” will present your writing as more polished, professional, and universally accepted.

Pro Tip: When in doubt about adverb placement within an infinitive, prioritize placing the adverb before the “to” or after the entire infinitive phrase to maintain a smooth flow and avoid potential stylistic objections in formal communication.