I decided not to attend vs I have decided not to attend

Both phrases are correct, but they differ in terms of tense. 'I decided not to attend' is in the simple past tense, indicating a decision made in the past. 'I have decided not to attend' is in the present perfect tense, emphasizing the completion of the decision-making process with relevance to the present. The choice between them depends on the context and the specific emphasis the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 3391 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I decided not to attend"

This phrase is in the simple past tense, indicating a decision made in the past. It is suitable for narrating past events or actions.

Examples:

I decided not to attend the party last night.
She decided not to attend the meeting.
They decided not to attend the concert.

Show examples from the web [+]

I have decided not to attend this year.
You're not going to the battle royale? I have decided not to attend this year.
I think this was when I decided to attend college in Tokyo.
I've decided to attend the Wayne Enterprises Charity Ball tonight.
Lindsay had decided to attend an acting class with Tobias.
I've decided to attend father's cousin sister's birthday party in Palo Alto.
I'd decided to attend the Bolshoi.
In mid-August, a few hundred Greek Orthodox Christians decided to attend mass in the Sumela monastery in Trabzon, Turkey.
Cebu Pacific decided not to attend the June meeting of the Air Safety Committee, due to an accident suffered by the carrier on June 2nd 2013 at Davao International Airport resulting in a runway excursion.
As a result Cebu Pacific Air decided not to attend the hearing of the Air Safety Committee in order to concentrate on addressing any safety issues that emerge from the safety investigations currently underway.
I decided not to lay with Scott.
I would also like - you know I decided to come to the European Parliament today, and was unable to attend the British Parliament, this is a kind of reminder, so thank you for that.
So I decided not to fire her again...
Tell Captain Butler I decided not to go out.
And I decided not to stay for a while.
So I decided not to fire her again until she'll be no threat to anyone.
You've been very quiet ever since I decided not to conceive.
Because at the last moment, I decided not to.
I decided not to have the surgery.
So I decided not to talk to her.

Alternatives:

I chose not to attend
I opted not to attend

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I have decided not to attend"

This phrase is in the present perfect tense, emphasizing the completion of the decision-making process with relevance to the present. It is suitable for expressing recent decisions or decisions with current relevance.

Examples:

I have decided not to attend the conference.
She has decided not to attend the event.
They have decided not to attend the wedding.

Show examples from the web [+]

I have decided not to attend this year.
You're not going to the battle royale? I have decided not to attend this year.
I've decided to attend the Wayne Enterprises Charity Ball tonight.
Lindsay had decided to attend an acting class with Tobias.
I think this was when I decided to attend college in Tokyo.
I've decided to attend father's cousin sister's birthday party in Palo Alto.
I'd decided to attend the Bolshoi.
In mid-August, a few hundred Greek Orthodox Christians decided to attend mass in the Sumela monastery in Trabzon, Turkey.
Cebu Pacific decided not to attend the June meeting of the Air Safety Committee, due to an accident suffered by the carrier on June 2nd 2013 at Davao International Airport resulting in a runway excursion.
As a result Cebu Pacific Air decided not to attend the hearing of the Air Safety Committee in order to concentrate on addressing any safety issues that emerge from the safety investigations currently underway.
With this in mind, I have decided that you shall not leave Corbulo to attend services...
I have decided not to inform this crew of my experiences.
I have decided not to support the plan.
I have decided not feel sorry for myself again.
But I have decided not to do it.
I have decided not to pity myself any longer.
I have decided not to fund the baker's appeal.
I just wanted to let you all know that I have decided not to tear down the lighthouse.
On further consideration, I have decided not to invest in your little city.
In these circumstances I have decided not to submit a new Commission for your approval today.

Alternatives:

I have chosen not to attend
I have opted not to attend

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I decided not to attend vs I have decided not to attend