definitively determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitively determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a strong conclusion or a final decision about something. Example: "The research aims to definitively determine the cause of the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The results of this study call for definitive studies to definitively determine the effectiveness and costs of this intervention in a controlled study on a wider scale.

BMC Family Practice

— Dr. Morgan could not definitively determine the cause of death, though he was able to rule out natural causes, and whooping cough.

The New Yorker

Because bombs this old were never tested, they say, computer simulations cannot definitively determine the seriousness of new types of changes caused by continued aging.

The New York Times - Science

Some experts have suggested that the only way to definitively determine the sequence and cause of the collapse is to recover large amounts of steel from the areas near where the planes struck, and possibly reassemble sections of the towers.

The New York Times

B6 NO CONFIRMATION -- Health officials began notifying about 400 employees at American Media -- where one worker died of anthrax infection -- that they could not definitively determine which of the workers had been exposed to anthrax.

The New York Times

An accumulation of more cases is needed to definitively determine the usefulness of FDG-PET for PNETs.

Surgical Case Reports

However they caution it's difficult to definitively determine how ads are being targeted because the process is so complex and opaque.

TechCrunch

From the results of the present study, we were unable to definitively determine the stratosphere-mesosphere-ionosphere transport processes responsible for the observed ionosphere-neutral atmosphere coupling.

Earth, Planets and Space

Given the current understanding of the effects of forest treatments on wildfire behavior, it is nearly impossible to definitively determine how treatments will affect wildfire C emissions.

Carbon Balance and Management

Indirect combustion noise is believed to be a key component of turbofan engine core noise, but existing experimental data have not been able to definitively determine its importance.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

We also found that template-specific reverse transcriptase reactions lack the specificity necessary to definitively determine the sense or anti-sense orientation of an mRNA transcript.

Cancer Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitively determine" when you want to emphasize that a conclusion is reached with a high degree of certainty and leaves little room for doubt. For a less formal tone, consider alternatives such as "clearly find out".

Common error

Avoid using "definitively determine" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound overly assertive in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitively determine" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the act of establishing something with certainty and finality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitively determine" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a conclusive finding with a high degree of certainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for written English, particularly in formal, scientific, and news contexts. While alternatives like "conclusively establish" or "firmly ascertain" exist, "definitively determine" emphasizes the finality and precision of the determination. Overusing it in informal settings should be avoided to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclusively establish

Focuses more on the act of proving something beyond doubt.

firmly ascertain

Emphasizes the certainty and reliability of the determination.

establish with certainty

Highlights the level of confidence in the finding.

determine beyond doubt

Underscores the elimination of uncertainty in the determination.

decisively conclude

Indicates a firm and irreversible conclusion.

unequivocally prove

Stresses the undeniable nature of the proof.

resolve without question

Focuses on the elimination of any doubts or uncertainties.

settle conclusively

Suggests a final and unappealable resolution.

find definitively

A more direct way of saying "definitively determine" with less emphasis on the method.

ascertain with finality

Emphasizes the conclusive and irreversible nature of the ascertainment.

FAQs

How can I use "definitively determine" in a sentence?

You can use "definitively determine" to express a strong conclusion or a final decision about something. For example: "The research aims to definitively determine the cause of the phenomenon."

What are some alternatives to "definitively determine"?

You can use alternatives like "conclusively establish", "firmly ascertain", or "determine beyond doubt" depending on the context.

Is "definitively determine" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "definitively determine" is more suitable for formal and academic writing. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases for clarity and tone.

How does "definitively determine" differ from simply "determine"?

"Definitively determine" implies a higher degree of certainty and conclusiveness compared to simply "determine". It suggests that the conclusion is reached without any remaining doubt.