Determine

USAGE SUMMARY

"determine" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that something has been figured out or decided. Example: After analyzing the data, the scientists were able to determine the cause of the problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prime minister, Tony Abbott, said the government was "carefully studying" the judgment to determine an appropriate response, but he strongly signalled his determination to find a way to ensure the chaplaincy program continued.

The Guardian

I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself.

The Guardian

We will want to determine that those responsible for operating this ride have done what the law requires.

The Guardian

The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into what went wrong and to determine whether the theme park was operating the ride within the law.

The Guardian

We'll be reading their report closely to determine next steps".

The Guardian - Tech

At a news conference last week, Christie said he would continue interviewing his senior staff to determine if there is any other information he needs to know and if he needs to take any further action, but he did not indicate his review would go further than that.

The Guardian

" The judge told Wright he was required by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to determine whether life imprisonment, the only sentence for murder, should mean life or whether he should fix a minimum term.

The Guardian

"Investigations are ongoing to determine where this murder took place, and our priorities are to locate Mr Jokubauskas and identify the body.

The Guardian

Given the close national race for control of the Senate, political forecasters have said the Kansas race, which just a weeks months ago was considered a safe Republican seat, could feasibly help determine whether Republicans or Democrats balance of power in the legislative body.

The Guardian

The success of this three-month trial will determine expanded NSA access to internet buffers in the future".

The Guardian

He said the three criteria used to determine whether two countries should be kept apart were whether they had normal diplomatic relations, whether there was an ongoing military or armed conflict and whether there had been a request made by either national association to be kept apart.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "determine" when you want to emphasize the process of finding something out through investigation or analysis. For example, "The investigation will determine the cause of the accident".

Common error

Avoid using "determine" when you simply mean to attempt or try something. "Determine" implies a resolution or discovery, not just an effort. Instead of "I'll determine to fix it", say "I'll try to fix it".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "determine" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object to complete its meaning, indicating the act of finding something out definitively. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "determine" functions as a verb used to express the act of finding something out definitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English. Frequently appearing in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, "determine" is a versatile term for conveying ascertainment through investigation or analysis. Its neutral register ensures its appropriateness across diverse communication scenarios. When using "determine", remember to ensure it reflects a process of resolution rather than a mere attempt, and that is not replaceable with the adjective "determinate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ascertain

Focuses on discovering something with certainty through investigation.

Establish

Emphasizes setting something firmly or proving it definitively.

Figure out

An informal way of saying discover or understand

Find out

Similar to "figure out" but may imply a more passive discovery.

Decide

Highlights the act of making a choice or resolution.

Resolve

Implies settling something, often a doubt or question.

Verify

Stresses the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

Confirm

Similar to "verify" but can also mean to strengthen or reinforce.

Identify

Focuses on recognizing or distinguishing something specific.

Learn

Implies gaining knowledge or understanding about something.

FAQs

How to use "determine" in a sentence?

"Determine" is used to indicate finding something out definitively, like in the sentence: "Scientists are working to determine the long-term effects of the medication".

What can I say instead of "determine"?

You can use alternatives like "ascertain", "establish", or "figure out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "determine" or "determinate"?

"Determine" is a verb that means to find something out definitively, while "determinate" is an adjective that means having defined limits or boundaries. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "determine" and "decide"?

"Determine" often involves investigation or analysis to reach a conclusion, while "decide" refers to making a choice or resolution. For example, you might "determine" the cause of a problem and then "decide" on a solution.