Take a Decision vs. Make a Decision: Subtle Differences in Meaning

Introduction

Decision making is a fundamental process in personal, professional, and organizational contexts. However, uncertainty often exists around the precise language used to describe the act of deciding. Specifically, should we "take a decision" or "make a decision"?

Though these two phrases are commonly used interchangeably, some key differences exist in their meanings and connotations. In this article, we'll explore the nuances between taking and making decisions, when to use each phrase, and how word choices relate to the psychology of decision making.

Key Differences Between "Take a Decision" and "Make a Decision"

At first glance, "take a decision" and "make a decision" appear quite similar. However, some notable differences exist:

"Take a Decision" Implies Selection

To "take" means to grasp, capture, or select something. Therefore, "take a decision" suggests selecting or choosing between existing options. It implies the decision options already exist rather than actively creating them.

"Make a Decision" Implies Creation

To "make" means to create, construct, or produce something. Thus, "make a decision" indicates more active generation of the decision itself. It suggests deliberately shaping and forming the decision vs. just selecting among choices.

"Take" Is More Passive, "Make" More Active

"Take" evokes a more passive thought process of deciding among given alternatives. "Make" evokes a more active, engaged effort to create a decision from internal reasoning.

"Take" Draws on External Factors, "Make" Internal Factors

Taking a decision relies strongly on external information like options, data, and advice. Making a decision relies more on internal factors like values, priorities, logic, and analysis.

"Take" Is Faster, "Make" More In-Depth

"Take" implies a quicker decision-making process while "make" suggests a more extensive process of constructing a decision from the ground up.

When to Use "Take a Decision"

The phrase "take a decision" fits best when:

• Options are clearly presented rather than needing to be defined.
• External advice or expertise guides the choice.
• The decision is relatively quick or spontaneous.
• The focus is selecting between set alternatives.
• Facts and data drive the decision more than internal reasoning.
• The decision is lower stakes or can be easily changed.

Here are some examples of appropriate use cases:

• The manager took a decision to go with Supplier B after reviewing the bid proposals.
• We took a decision to postpone the event based on the weather forecast.
• I'll take a decision on which couch to buy once I review consumer reports on these models.

When to Use "Make a Decision"

The phrase "make a decision" fits best when:

• The decision requires internal reasoning and analysis.
• No clear-cut options exist to select from.
• Values, priorities, and goals guide the choice.
• Greater risk or impact makes depth of analysis important.
• The decision involves substantial thought and reflection.
• Creative problem-solving helps shape the decision.

Some examples include:

• We need to make a decision about our overall branding strategy this quarter.
• She took time to make a decision about whether changing careers was the right move.
• The committee will make a decision on the project budget after careful thought.

Psychology of Decision Making: Rational vs. Intuitive

The differences between "take" and "make" relate closely to theories of decision making in cognitive psychology.

Two key methods of decision making are the rational approach and the intuitive approach:

Rational Decision Making

This method involves deliberately and systematically analyzing options to make the optimal logical choice. Steps include:

1. Define the problem
2. Identify criteria
3. Weigh criteria
4. Generate alternatives
5. Evaluate each option against criteria
6. Select best choice

Rational decision making relies heavily on external data and facts.

Intuitive Decision Making

This method involves relying on hunches, gut feel, and experience to make faster decisions more naturally. Key aspects include:

• Making quick judgments based on past patterns
• Using rules of thumb to filter options
• Letting internal expertise and wisdom guide choices
• Assessing options holistically vs. systematically weighing pros and cons

Intuitive decision making leverages internal instincts and knowledge.

The Phrase Choice Connections

"Take a decision" aligns more closely with rational decision making given its passive selection between defined choices. "Make a decision" better fits intuitive decision making with its active creation based on internal reasoning.

Of course, good decision making often uses a blend of rational and intuitive thinking. However, the phrases still correlate to the two models.

"Take a Decision" vs. "Make a Decision" By Situation

Beyond the general guidelines, the best choice between "take" and "make" also depends on the specific situation and speaker.

Personal Decisions

For personal choices, "make a decision" often fits better as individuals rely more on internal values to guide major life decisions. For example:

• We really need to make a decision about whether we should move across the country for this job.
• I'm trying to make a decision about whether I should continue my education and apply to graduate programs.

However, "take a decision" can work for simpler, everyday choices:

• Let's take a decision on which movie to watch tonight.
• I'll take a decision about what to order once I look over the menu.

Business Decisions

For business contexts, "make a decision" is often preferable for major calls with long-term impact:

• The leadership team needs to make a decision about the long-term vision and positioning of the brand.
• We should make a decision on hiring additional staff once we complete the workload analysis.

"Take a decision" can work for low-stakes situations focused on selecting between defined options:

• Let's take a decision on which bid to accept based on these quotes.
• The manager will take a decision about the vendor once she reviews all the proposals.

Government Decisions

For public policy contexts, "make a decision" suits major societal decisions that require extensive debate and input:

• Congress needs to make a decision about the future of this immigration legislation.
• The committee must make a decision on funding allocation that best serves the needs of the community.

"Take a decision" fits procedural decisions with defined outcomes:

• The Prime Minister will take a decision on the final approval once the council submits their formal recommendation.
• Let's take a decision today on event dates so everyone has time to adjust schedules.

Regional Differences in Usage

Beyond context, regional language differences also influence the choice between "take a decision" and "make a decision":

American English

American English more strongly favors "make a decision" in most contexts. Americans rarely use "take a decision."

British English

British English usages fall somewhere in the middle. "Make a decision" is still common but British speakers use "take a decision" more often than Americans.

Indian English

Indian English favors "take a decision" in many contexts where American English would use "make a decision." This reflects Indian English's blend of British and American influences.

Therefore, while "make a decision" is gaining ground worldwide, regional dialects still affect usage frequencies.

Using Decision-Making Verbs More Broadly

Looking beyond "make" and "take," many verbs describe decision processes. While all evoke slightly different connotations, they provide helpful variety in discussing decisions:

• Choose
• Determine
• Arrive at
• Reach
• Render
• Settle on
• Commit to
• Finalize
• Conclude
• Decide on

Some examples:

• After much thought, I've chosen to accept the new role.
• The jury will reach a verdict once all evidence is presented.
• Have you settled on a name for the baby yet?

Expanding your verb vocabulary allows more versatile discussion of decision making for any context.

Conclusion

While "take a decision" and "make a decision" are often used interchangeably, each phrase carries its own nuanced implications.

"Take a decision" indicates a passive selection from given options guided heavily by external data. "Make a decision" indicates more active generation of a choice through internal reasoning.

Overall, "make a decision" fits best for major personal, business, or societal choices where values and priorities shape the decision. "Take a decision" fits best for low-stakes situations focused on choosing between clearly defined alternatives.

However, keep regional language differences in mind. American English strongly favors "make a decision" while British and Indian English use "take a decision" more often.

With an awareness of the subtle differences between decision-making phrases, you can describe choices in precise terms and tailor language effectively for any audience or context.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.