They determined that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They determined that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when reporting a conclusion or finding that a group or individuals have come to after consideration or investigation. Example: "After extensive research, they determined that the new policy would significantly improve employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They determined that there was insufficient evidence.

The New York Times

They determined that he was not a threat.

The New Yorker

They determined that the Gibson factories were the final destination.

The New York Times

They determined that Mr. Pippin's sentence ends in 2013.

The New York Times

They determined that the image was not a fake.

The New York Times - Science

They determined that doing so was in part an act of patriotism.

The New York Times

They determined that the average angle between two branching paths was 53 degrees.

The New York Times

They determined that the comet was Hyakutake by analyzing its position relative to the spacecraft.

The New York Times - Science

They determined that an upper basement and elevator shaft had caved in, creating the sinkhole.

The New York Times

They determined that the crust was thickest under the southern highlands.

The New York Times - Science

They determined that the queen had "moved towards, but not attained" that accent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "They determined that", ensure the 'they' is clearly defined and refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity. This maintains clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "They determined that" when the subject is unclear. Always specify who 'they' are (e.g., "The researchers determined that") to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They determined that" functions as an independent clause that introduces a statement of fact or a conclusion reached after some form of investigation, analysis, or consideration. It typically connects a subject (the 'they') with a specific finding or decision, much like the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They determined that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce a conclusion or finding. Ludwig confirms its prevalent use across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. To enhance clarity, always specify who 'they' are. Consider alternatives like "They concluded that" or "They found that" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They concluded that

Replaces "determined" with "concluded", emphasizing the act of reaching a final judgment or decision.

They found that

Substitutes "determined" with "found", focusing on the discovery aspect of the conclusion.

They established that

Replaces "determined" with "established", highlighting the act of proving or confirming something.

They ascertained that

Uses "ascertained" instead of "determined", suggesting a more careful or thorough investigation led to the conclusion.

They decided that

Replaces "determined" with "decided", emphasizing the decision-making process involved.

Their investigation showed that

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention an investigation and its results, adding detail.

The evidence suggested that

Shifts the focus from the actors to the evidence, implying a conclusion based on available data.

After review, they realized that

Adds a temporal element, indicating a realization after a period of review or consideration.

The study indicated that

Specifically frames the conclusion as originating from a study, suitable for academic or research contexts.

It was their assessment that

Uses a more formal tone with "assessment", implying a professional or expert evaluation.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "They determined that"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "They ascertained that" or "It was their assessment that". These alternatives emphasize a thorough or professional evaluation.

What can I say instead of "They determined that" to emphasize discovery?

To emphasize the discovery aspect, consider using "They found that". This alternative highlights the act of uncovering or revealing information.

How can I rephrase "They determined that" to focus on the evidence?

To shift the focus to evidence, try "The evidence suggested that". This phrasing implies a conclusion based on available data, rather than direct determination.

Is "They determined that" interchangeable with "They concluded that"?

While similar, "They concluded that" "They concluded that" emphasizes the final judgment or decision-making aspect more strongly than "They determined that".