What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deciding
Example
I am having trouble deciding which movie to watch tonight. [deciding: verb]
Example
The deciding factor in choosing a college was the availability of scholarships. [deciding: gerund or present participle]
decisive
Example
The CEO is known for being a decisive leader who can make tough decisions quickly. [decisive: adjective]
Example
The final goal was scored in the last minute, making it the decisive moment of the game. [decisive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deciding is more commonly used than decisive in everyday language. Deciding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while decisive is more formal and often used in professional or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deciding and decisive?
Decisive is more formal than deciding. It is often used in professional or academic contexts to describe important decisions or events.
