These words pertain to the reaching of conclusions. Decide stresses the making of a choice, regardless of how it is arrived at: jurors who have already decided what to think before hearing a shred of evidence; an investigative committee that took months to sift testimony and decide if new legislation should be drafted. Sometimes a conclusive factor may be the subject: Above all, it was his earnestness that decided her. Using a passive construction is often thought to make the conclusion seem more objective, impassive and official: It was decided at our meeting to abolish the honour system of borrowing from the library.

Settle is considerably more forceful than decide , pointing exclusively to the reaching of a definite or final choice after a period of indecision or dispute: a new hearing to settle the question once and for all; He had considered a number of jobs before settle on a career in advertising. With for, the word can indicate a reluctant or compromise choice: They had wanted to spend a week in Rome, but settled for a few days. A related context for determine pertains to investigation or discovery; here, in reference to choice, the word still implies thoughtful or searching consideration: She asked him for help in determining where to hang the pictures in her new flat. The force of the word changes considerably when it is used as a past participle to express a decisive choice, purpose or conviction: He was determined to win the game. Resolve is closely related in meaning to this one sense of determine , referring to an even greater conviction or purpose with which something is decided .

• He resolved to clear his father’s name; She was resolved to become a ballet dancer.

The word can also refer to the settling of a question by a group, most often after debate: The clerical staff resolved to lodge a protest against the new award. More generally, the word can refer, like one use of decide , to something that is conclusive: means to resolve the questions surrounding the assassination.