How to...
Give a choice

Giving a choice

Sometimes you want everybody to do something you want or you want something done in a certain way. But other times you are happy for other people to choose. Here are ten phrases.

  1. You choose.
  2. It's up to you.
  3. (You can) do what / as you like.
  4. Do as you please.
  5. The choice is yours.
  6. Make up your own mind.
  7. It's fine by me if you want to...
  8. It's no skin off my nose.
  9. It's your decision.
  10. Don't mind me.

Explanations

  • Phrase 1 is simple but a little impolite in formal situations. To make it more polite say 'I'm happy for yo to choose'.
  • Phrase 2 means that the other person can and must decide. The speaker will not give an opinion.
  • Phrases 3 and 4 mean that the speaker has no interest in what decision you make. You can do anything you like. Phrase 4 is slightly more formal.
  • Phrase 5 means that you have to make a choice because the speaker will not help you to choose.
  • Phrase 6 is telling the other person to make a decision or to form an opinion about something.
  • Phrases 7 and 8 are saying that the speaker is happy for the other person to make a one choice. The other person probably thought that the speaker wouldn't like it and the speaker is correcting this impression.
  • Phrase 9 is saying that the other person can make a decision.
  • Phrase 10 is telling the other person to make their choice or continue with an activity and to not worry about what the speaker thinks. Sometimes this phrase is used ironically.