keputusan untuk + Verb
Decision Nominalization
The pattern keputusan untuk + verb is the standard formal way to say 'the decision to [do something]' in Malay. It links the noun keputusan (decision) to a specific action using the complementizer untuk.
How It Works
This pattern is a form of nominalization, where a mental act is turned into a noun phrase.
- Syntactic Structure: The noun keputusan (derived from the root putus via the ke-...-an circumfix) acts as the head. It is followed by untuk, which serves as a complementizer.
- Agent Placement: A key feature of this construction is that the agent (the entity making the decision) often appears between the noun and the complementizer, following the noun + possessor logic (e.g., keputusan kerajaan untuk...).
- Verb Forms: In formal writing, the verb following untuk should retain its meN- prefix (active) or di- prefix (passive).
- Register and Variants: This is a high-register construction. In extremely formal legal or administrative contexts, bagi is frequently used as a synonym for untuk to introduce the purpose or action.
- Distinction from 'Bahawa': While bahawa introduces a factual clause (The decision that he is guilty), untuk introduces an intended action (The decision to increase prices).
Examples (5)
- Kerajaan telah membuat keputusan untuk menaikkan kadar faedah.
The government has made the decision to increase interest rates.
Word by Word: Government already make decision for increase rate interest.
This is a classic formal sentence where 'keputusan untuk' is followed by an active verb with the 'meN-' prefix.
- Keputusan kabinet untuk menangguhkan projek itu telah dipersetujui.
The cabinet's decision to postpone the project has been agreed upon.
Word by Word: Decision cabinet for postpone project that already be-agreed-upon.
This demonstrates the common structure where the agent (kabinet) is placed directly after 'keputusan' before the 'untuk' complementizer.
- Keputusan untuk berhenti sekolah merupakan satu kerugian besar.
The decision to quit school is a great loss.
Word by Word: Decision for stop school is one loss big.
Here, the entire phrase 'Keputusan untuk berhenti sekolah' acts as the subject of the sentence.
- Pihak pengurusan masih mempertimbangkan keputusan bagi memulakan projek itu.
The management is still considering the decision to start the project.
Word by Word: Side management still consider decision for start project that.
This example uses 'bagi' as a formal alternative to 'untuk', which is common in administrative and legal registers.
- Keputusan untuk tidak bertanding mengejutkan ramai pihak.
The decision not to compete surprised many parties.
Word by Word: Decision for not compete surprise many side.
This demonstrates how to negate the action by placing 'tidak' after 'untuk'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'bahawa' to introduce an action.
Keputusan bahawa pergi ke sana.Keputusan untuk pergi ke sana.'Bahawa' is used for facts or statements (that), whereas 'untuk' is required for actions (to).
Omitting the 'meN-' prefix in formal writing.
Keputusan untuk tunda mesyuarat.Keputusan untuk menunda mesyuarat.In formal Malay, verbs following 'untuk' in this construction should maintain their active prefixes.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'keputusan untuk + verb', a learner needs to be familiar with how nouns are formed using the '-an' suffix and how the preposition 'untuk' functions as a linker between a noun and a following action (verb phrase).
- untuk + VerbPurpose Infinitive with Untuk
Understanding how 'untuk' functions as an infinitive-like marker before a verb is essential for this nominalized construction.
Level 3 - -anResult or Object Nouns with -an
The word 'keputusan' is a result noun formed with the '-an' suffix from the root 'putus', which the learner should recognize as a nominalization.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- untukFor with Untuk
The word 'untuk' is the core linker in this decision nominalization pattern.
Level 1 - bahawaContent Clauses with Bahawa
Used for 'decision that [fact]' as opposed to 'decision to [action]'.
Level 2 - ke-...-an (keadaan)Abstract States with Ke-...-an
The noun 'keputusan' is formed using this circumfix.
Level 3 - upaya untuk + VerbAttempt or Effort Construction
A similar nominalization pattern used for 'effort to [verb]'.
Level 5 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The verbs following 'untuk' in this pattern typically require the active meN- prefix in formal Malay.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice keputusan untuk + Verb in Bubblegum
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