5 Decision Making Business English Phrases

Many of the students to whom I teach Business English are senior people within their organisations who have to make many important and not so important decisions on a daily basis.

It’s no wonder that one of the areas they like to explore with me in class is the different ways they can use to talk about this important part of their jobs.

So I thought I’d put together a list of business English phrases to show you the different ways we use the word ‘decision’ and its derivatives in a business context.

Verb: decide (not) to

• After 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Terry decided to change career.
• I’ve decided not to accept that job.

Noun: decision

• I didn’t really want to leave the company, so it was a very difficult decision.

We take or make a decision

• As Managing Director of the company, he has to take some tough decisions.
• You made a really good decision today.

After talking or thinking for a long time, you reach or come to a decision:

• After hours of discussion, they finally reached a decision.
• I’ve come to a decision. I’m going to see the company.

Can’t decide or haven’t decided

• They haven’t decided whether to hire a new Sales Manager yet.
• I’m giving an important presentation tomorrow, but I can’t decide what to wear.

Make up your mind, change your mind

Make up your mind
definitely decide on something after thinking about it carefully

• I’ve made up my mind, I’m going to accept that job (final decision)

Change your mind
decide something, and then decide something different

• I was going to organise a meeting for this afternoon, but I’ve changed my mind.

We can also use keeps to or sticks to in the above context.

• He always keeps to or sticks to his decisions.

Adjectives: a decisive ≠ indecisive person

• John is always changing his mind, he is so indecisive.
• I like working with James, he is so decisive and gets things done.

Try using some of these Business English phrases the next time you are in a meeting with English speakers. The more you use them, the more they will become a natural part of your Business English conversations.

Happy Decision-Making!