Choice vs. Choose — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 22, 2024
"Choice" refers to an option or the act of selecting between alternatives, typically representing the outcome, while "choose" is the verb form, denoting the action of making a selection among options.
Difference Between Choice and Choose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Choice" can denote both the act of selecting and the options available in any decision-making process, emphasizing the result or the alternatives themselves. On the other hand, "choose" strictly refers to the action, focusing on the process rather than the result.
When discussing decision-making, "choice" embodies the freedom or range of options available, such as in a multiple-choice question, whereas "choose" illustrates the active decision one makes among those options.
In linguistic terms, "choice" functions as a noun in sentences, representing a concept or entity, while "choose" operates as a verb, indicating the action being taken.
The implications of each also differ; "choice" implies a selection has been made or is to be made, often used to discuss options retrospectively or theoretically, while "choose" is dynamic, often used to advise or describe ongoing decisions.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
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Usage
Refers to the act or options available in decision-making.
Indicates the action of selecting among options.
Example in Context
"She had the choice between two universities."
"She must choose between two universities."
Focus
Outcome or options
Process of deciding
Common Collocations
Make a choice, have no choice
Choose wisely, choose differently
Compare with Definitions
Choice
One of a range of things that can be chosen.
The menu offered a wide choice of desserts.
Choose
To prefer or decide (to do something).
I choose to believe the best in people.
Choice
An act of selecting between two or more possibilities.
She faced a tough choice between career and family.
Choose
To select freely and after consideration.
She chose the red dress for the gala.
Choice
Carefully selected; choice words.
He had some choice words for the unruly crowd.
Choose
To decide on a course of action, typically after a deliberation.
He chose to walk despite the rain.
Choice
The right or ability to make such a selection.
Every player has a choice in which role to play.
Choose
To make a choice, especially a careful one.
Choose your next words wisely.
Choice
Of very good quality.
They offered some choice pieces of antique furniture.
Choose
To pick out or select someone or something as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.
He was chosen as the team captain.
Choice
A choice is the range of different things from which you can choose. The arrival at a choice may incorporate motivators and models.
Choose
To select from a number of possible alternatives; decide on and pick out
Which book did you choose at the library?.
Choice
An act of choosing between two or more possibilities
The choice between good and evil
Choose
To prefer above others
Chooses the supermarket over the neighborhood grocery store.
Choice
(especially of food) of very good quality
He picked some choice early plums
Choose
To determine or decide
Chose to fly rather than drive.
Choice
(of words or language) rude and abusive
He had a few choice words at his command
Choose
To make a choice; make a selection
Was used to doing as she chose.
Choice
The act of choosing; selection
It is time to make a choice between the candidates.
Choose
To pick; to make the choice of; to select.
I chose a nice ripe apple from the fruit bowl.
Choice
The power, right, or liberty to choose; option
The teacher gave me the choice between taking an exam and writing a paper.
Choose
To elect.
He was chosen as president in 1990.
Choice
An alternative
With no money, he had no choice but to walk home.
Choose
To decide to act in a certain way.
I chose to walk to work today.
Choice
One that is chosen
That vase on sale looks like an excellent choice.
Choose
To prefer; to wish; to desire.
Choice
A number or variety from which to choose
A wide choice of styles and colors.
Choose
(mathematics) The binomial coefficient of the previous and following number.
The number of distinct subsets of size k from a set of size n is or "n choose k".
Choice
The right to terminate a pregnancy by induced abortion.
Choose
The act of choosing; selection.
Choice
Of very fine quality
Choice peaches.
Choose
The power, right, or privilege of choosing; election.
Choice
Selected with care; well-chosen
Choice phrases.
Choose
To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils.
Choose me for a humble friend.
Choice
Expressive of intense disapproval
Had some choice words for the movers who dropped her antique spinet.
Choose
To wish; to desire; to prefer.
The landlady now returned to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment.
Choice
Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef with more marbling than select cuts and less marbling than prime cuts.
Choose
To make a selection; to decide.
They had only to choose between implicit obedience and open rebellion.
Choice
An option; a decision; an opportunity to choose or select something.
Do I have a choice of what color to paint it?
Choose
To do otherwise.
Thou canst not choose but know who I am.
Choice
(uncountable) The power to choose.
She didn't leave us much choice.
Choose
Pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives;
Take any one of these cards
Choose a good husband for your daughter
She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her
Choice
One selection or preference; that which is chosen or decided; the outcome of a decision.
The ice cream sundae is a popular choice for dessert.
Choose
Select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative;
I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant
She opted for the job on the East coast
Choice
Anything that can be chosen.
You have three choices: vanilla, strawberry or chocolate
Choose
See fit or proper to act in a certain way; decide to act in a certain way;
She chose not to attend classes and now she failed the exam
Choice
The best or most preferable part.
Choice
(obsolete) Care and judgement in selecting; discrimination, selectiveness.
Choice
(obsolete) A sufficient number to choose among.
Choice
(set theory) axiom of choice.
Choice
Especially good or preferred.
It's a choice location, but you will pay more to live there.
Choice
(obsolete) Careful in choosing; discriminating.
Choice
Cool; excellent.
"I'm going to the movies." —"Choice!"
Choice
Act of choosing; the voluntary act of selecting or separating from two or more things that which is preferred; the determination of the mind in preferring one thing to another; election.
Choice
The power or opportunity of choosing; option.
Choice there is not, unless the thing which we take be so in our power that we might have refused it.
Choice
Care in selecting; judgment or skill in distinguishing what is to be preferred, and in giving a preference; discrimination.
I imagine they [the apothegms of Cæsar] were collected with judgment and choice.
Choice
A sufficient number to choose among.
Choice
The thing or person chosen; that which is approved and selected in preference to others; selection.
The common wealth is sick of their own choice.
Choice
The best part; that which is preferable.
The flower and choiceOf many provinces from bound to bound.
Choice
Worthly of being chosen or preferred; select; superior; precious; valuable.
My choicest hours of life are lost.
Choice
Preserving or using with care, as valuable; frugal; - used with of; as, to be choice of time, or of money.
Choice
Selected with care, and due attention to preference; deliberately chosen.
Choice word measured phrase.
Choice
The person or thing chosen or selected;
He was my pick for mayor
Choice
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
Choice
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen;
What option did I have?
There no other alternative
My only choice is to refuse
Choice
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
Choice
Appealing to refined taste;
Choice wine
Common Curiosities
What are common phrases using "choose"?
Common phrases include "choose wisely" and "choose again".
What is the grammatical function of "choice"?
"Choice" serves as a noun.
How does "choice" relate to consumer behavior?
In consumer behavior, "choice" refers to the options consumers have when making purchasing decisions.
Can "choose" be used in past tense?
Yes, "choose" in past tense is "chose".
Is "choice" ever used as an adjective?
Yes, "choice" can be used as an adjective to denote high quality.
How does "choose" function in imperative sentences?
In imperative sentences, "choose" directs or advises someone to make a decision.
Can "choice" indicate quality?
Yes, "choice" can indicate that something is of very good quality.
What is a synonym for "choose"?
A synonym for "choose" is "select".
What does it mean to have no choice?
Having no choice means lacking alternatives and being compelled to follow one specific course.
Does "choose" imply a future action?
Yes, "choose" often implies an action that is to be decided or will take place in the future.
How can "choice" be used in marketing?
In marketing, "choice" is used to present the variety of options available to consumers.
Are there expressions that combine both "choice" and "choose"?
Yes, expressions like "make your choice" or "choose your choice" combine both terms, emphasizing decision-making.
What is the noun form of "choose"?
The noun form related to "choose" is "choice".
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
