CHOOSE


Meaning of CHOOSE in English

verb

1

BAD : If you choose to see a film, we can go to the cinema instead.

GOOD : If you prefer to see a film, we can go to the cinema instead.

BAD : I choose the first story because it's more exciting.

GOOD : I prefer the first story because it's more exciting.

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prefer = like something more than something else: 'Which do you prefer, black coffee or white coffee?' 'Peter prefers classical music to rock.' 'I'd prefer to stay here, if you don't mind.'

2

BAD : There are over forty different courses to choose between.

GOOD : There are over forty different courses to choose from.

BAD : There is also a library where you can choose among a wide range of books.

GOOD : There is also a library where you can choose from a wide range of books.

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choose between two (or a few) possibilities: 'You have to choose between a beginner's course and a more advanced course.' 'If I had to choose between staying here and living abroad, I'd stay here.'

choose from a large number of possibilities: 'When it comes to wallpaper, there are hundreds of different patterns to choose from.'

3

BAD : Hilde chose for sources of energy as her topic.

GOOD : Hilde chose sources of energy as her topic.

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choose sb/sth (WITHOUT for ): 'The roses were too expensive so I chose the daffodils.' 'The team chose Alan as their captain.'

Compare: 'Tests have shown that girls opt for languages whereas boys choose science or maths.'

Longman Common Errors English vocabulary.      Английский словарь распространенных ошибок Longman.