The verb to decide · Conjugation
Past Simple of decide
The answer: decided
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to decide is decided.
Example: She decided to leave.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | decided |
| You | decided |
| He / She / It | decided |
| We | decided |
| You (pl.) | decided |
| They | decided |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Do a decision ❌
Use make: make a decision is correct everywhere. Take a decision is mostly British. Do a decision is always wrong.
2. I decided going ❌
After decide, use to + infinitive: I decided to go.
Practice quiz
Going further
The English contest tests the Past Simple of decide in real sentences
Instead of a single school exercise, your students meet this tense in context, in a contest that really motivates them.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Practise on PLAYMaster the Past Simple of decide when you speak, not just on paper
The conjugation is clear in your head. On PLAY, you practise it in a game, with instant feedback, until it comes out on its own.
Practise the Past Simple of decide on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersYour whole class practises the Past Simple of decide, and you follow each student
The Academy has self-marking activities on this form, with a dashboard for each student: you see at a glance who is falling behind.
Discover the Academy30-day free trial · No bank card needed
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of decide?+
Decided (regular): We decided to stay at home.
Is it decided to go or decided going?+
Decide + to + infinitive: I decided to go. Never decide + -ing.
What is the noun of decide?+
The noun is a decision. Make a decision = to decide.
What does decisive mean?+
Decisive = very important for the result (a moment), or able to decide quickly (a person). A decisive moment. A decisive leader.
What does I can't decide mean?+
I can't decide = it is hard for me to choose. It is very common: I can't decide what to wear.
Related pages: decide Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/decide/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
Keep learning
More forms of the verb to decide are coming soon.