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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be determined over
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be determined over" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of something being decided or resolved, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The outcome of the negotiations will be determined over the next few weeks."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
52 human-written examples
His worth will be determined over time.
News & Media
The primary sequences of most plant genes will be determined over the next few years.
Science
Just who is right will be determined over time, by courts and by negotiations.
News & Media
The seeding for the Hockey East tournament will be determined over the last two weekends of the season.
News & Media
The "legitimacy" of the Trump administration will be determined over time through disinterested intelligence-gathering and robust oversight.
News & Media
How special will be determined over the next 10 days as two great clubs face off again.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
8 human-written examples
The enantioselectivity was determined over d-carnitine.
Science
Crime trends are determined over at least five years, preferably 10 or 20 years, of data.
News & Media
The Zeta potential of MWNTs in ethanol suspension is determined over a range of pH.
Plasma glucose and insulin responses were determined over 4 hours after each treatment.
Science
After 24 d of feeding, N balance was determined over a 6-d period.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Replace "be determined over" with clearer and more standard phrases like "be determined by" or "be decided upon" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using "over" to indicate the means or method of determination. "Over" usually refers to a duration or spatial relationship, while "by" correctly indicates the agent or method of determination. For example, use "determined by" rather than "determined over".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be determined over" functions as a passive construction indicating a process of resolution or decision-making. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the phrasing isn't ideal, and typically involves a subject whose state or outcome will be decided, influenced, or measured.
Frequent in
News & Media
39%
Science
37%
Academia
13%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "be determined over" is frequently used across news, science, and academic contexts, but Ludwig AI indicates it's not grammatically ideal. While it aims to convey that an outcome will be decided or influenced during a period, clearer alternatives such as "be determined by", "be decided upon", or "be ascertained through" offer enhanced grammatical correctness and clarity. The phrase should generally be avoided in formal contexts in favor of these more precise alternatives.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
be decided upon
Replaces "determined over" with a more direct and grammatically sound equivalent.
be resolved through
Highlights the process of resolving or settling something through a particular means or period.
be established within
Focuses on the establishment of something within a specific scope or timeframe, altering the emphasis from the determination process.
be ascertained by
Emphasizes the discovery or confirmation of something through specific criteria or methods.
be dependent on
Highlights the reliance on certain factors for determination.
be contingent upon
Shifts the focus to dependence on certain conditions or factors over a period.
be influenced by
Focuses on how outside factors affect something over a period, changing the emphasis.
be reliant on
Similar to dependent on, focuses on how something requires a particular set of conditions to determine its outcome.
be governed by
Highlights how specific rules affect something over time, instead of how something is determined.
be subject to
Indicates that something is liable or exposed to something else over a duration.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say something will be decided in a period of time?
Instead of saying "be determined over", it's better to say "be determined by" or "be decided upon" to indicate the method or conditions of the decision. To indicate a timeframe, add a phrase like "in the coming weeks".
Is "be determined over time" grammatically correct?
While you may encounter the phrase, it's not the most grammatically sound choice. Using "be determined over time" isn't the clearest way to express that something's outcome will become clear as time passes. Consider using alternatives such as "be revealed over time" or "become clear over time" for improved clarity.
What are some alternatives to "be determined over" in a scientific context?
In scientific writing, clearer alternatives include "be ascertained by", "be established through", or "be quantified by", depending on the specific context.
How can I rephrase "the results will be determined over the next few weeks"?
Better alternatives include "the results will be determined by the next few weeks" or "the results will be decided upon in the next few weeks". These options offer improved clarity and grammatical correctness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested