capable of determining if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of determining if" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability of a person, system, or process to assess or evaluate a condition or situation. Example: "The new software is capable of determining if the data meets the required standards for accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Males of a number of mammals are capable of determining if a female will be sexually receptive simply by smelling her urine markings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Bonner said in an interview that under the smart-box program, the government had established manufacturing standards for a small, hand-sized electronic sensor priced at less than $20 each that could be installed in cargo containers and capable of determining if a container's doors had been opened.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If, however, the behavior persists, the individual's family members may summon an expert a geomancer capable of determining if he or she is acting out of free will.

SEP

A recent formulation of reflectometry, and the concurrent development of "total polarimetry" are now stimulating the design of neutron polarization and polarization analysis geometries capable of determining directly if and how a magnetic system contains a non-collinear structure in the film (x y) plane.

Physica B: Condensed Matter

The key would be to devise an experiment capable of determining what the predictions of a hidden variable reality was, and if-and-how it was different from the standard quantum picture.

Forbes

Experiments are conducted to find out if this self-sensing technique is capable of determining the state and intensity of acoustic cavitation.

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

I think if I had to choose another profession I'd like to be a judge because I'm very capable of determining what's right and what's not".

The Guardian - Music

Google is now capable of determining natural links from unnatural links.

Forbes

But things not capable of determining their own ends have to be, in the end, disposed to them by things capable of determining ends, namely, intelligences.

HuffPost

Presented is a description of a methodology for determining if a conventional milling machine is capable of being used to undertake friction stir welding.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Ongoing work is directed at identifying the additional signaling components involved in mediating the effects of DYRK1A on 12E8 tau phosphorylation and at determining if DYRK1A is capable of directly phosphorylating tau protein on serine 262/serine 356.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capable of determining if", ensure the subject performing the action possesses the necessary skills, resources, or authority to accurately assess the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of determining if" when the outcome is merely a prediction or estimation. Instead, use phrases that reflect uncertainty, such as "capable of estimating if" or "capable of predicting whether".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of determining if" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing its ability or capacity to ascertain or establish a condition. It indicates a specific competence or potential for making a judgment, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of determining if" is grammatically sound and primarily used to describe the capacity to ascertain or establish a condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It frequently appears in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal and objective tone. Alternative phrasing includes "able to ascertain whether" or "equipped to establish if". When using this phrase, ensure the subject has the required skills or resources and that the context allows for a precise assessment. Be aware of overstating certainty when the situation involves predictions or estimations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to ascertain whether

Replaces "capable" with "able" and "determining if" with "ascertain whether", offering a slightly simpler wording.

can assess whether

Uses "can" instead of "capable of" and "assess whether" instead of "determining if", providing a more concise alternative.

equipped to establish if

Substitutes "capable" with "equipped" and "determining" with "establish", emphasizing the preparedness to confirm something.

competent to decide if

Replaces "capable" with "competent" and "determining" with "decide", suggesting the required skill to make a decision.

in a position to judge whether

Uses "in a position" instead of "capable" and "judge whether" instead of "determining if", highlighting the authority or opportunity to make a judgment.

qualified to evaluate if

Substitutes "capable" with "qualified" and "determining" with "evaluate", stressing the necessary credentials to assess something.

is able to detect if

Replaces "determining" with "detect", focusing specifically on identifying the presence of something.

has the ability to verify if

Replaces "capable of determining" with "has the ability to verify", focusing on the capacity to confirm something.

possesses the means to find out if

Emphasizes the resources or methods available to discover something.

empowered to investigate if

Highlights the authorization or power to conduct an inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "capable of determining if" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of determining if" when describing the ability of a person, system, or method to ascertain a particular condition or state. For example, "The sensor is capable of determining if the container's doors have been opened."

What are some alternatives to "capable of determining if"?

You can use alternatives like "able to ascertain whether", "equipped to establish if", or "can assess whether" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "capable of determining if" or "able to determine if"?

"Capable of determining if" and "able to determine if" are often interchangeable. However, "capable of" might imply a higher degree of expertise or specific equipment, while "able to" is more general.

When is it inappropriate to use "capable of determining if"?

Avoid using "capable of determining if" when referring to subjective opinions or situations where a precise determination is not possible. It's better suited for scenarios involving objective measurements or assessments.