determinative about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determinative about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used when discussing something that decisively influences or determines a particular outcome or perspective, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The research findings were determinative about the future direction of the project."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It won't be determinative about whether clean-tech will work or not".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When Heisenberg's indeterminacy is understood not as describing the events themselves but rather our knowledge of the events, the Causal Principle still holds and can still be applied to the initial singularity, although we cannot expect to achieve any kind of determinative predictability about what occurs given the cause.

SEP

As the title implies, "Historicity" was about the determinative relationship between the past and the present, a potent but fairly abstract idea.

The New York Times - Arts

But concerns about gender would not be determinative in the White House's mind, officials with knowledge of the process said.

The New York Times

Nor does it seem that Justice Alito would play a determinative role in such a case in any event, given what is known about the other justices' views.

The New York Times

"Geography is not determinative".

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Huffington added, "While we work on and talk about our home page headlines a lot, the keywords or searchability is never determinative".

The New York Times

No single evaluation will be determinative.

The Guardian

A victim's views must never be determinative.

The Guardian

And of course, the father's wishes are often determinative.

The New York Times

"It's not determinative, but it certainly is an asset".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and precise alternatives like "decisive for", "critical to", or "instrumental in" to enhance clarity and readability. This will make your writing more impactful and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "determinative about" in formal contexts. While grammatically sound, it may come across as stilted or less impactful compared to more direct alternatives. Opt for stronger verbs and more common prepositions for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determinative about" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something has a significant influence or impact on a particular aspect. However, as noted by Ludwig, the phrase is not commonly used. Its use can be perceived as less natural than other options.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "determinative about" is relatively uncommon in contemporary English. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it is acceptable but not preferred due to the existence of clearer and more impactful alternatives, such as "decisive for" or "critical to". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To improve writing, consider replacing "determinative about" with more precise alternatives to enhance clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decisive concerning

Replaces "determinative" with "decisive", which suggests a clear and final impact. "Concerning" is a more formal preposition than "about".

conclusive regarding

Uses "conclusive" to emphasize that something settles a matter definitively, and "regarding" as a slightly more formal alternative to "about".

influential concerning

Focuses on the degree of influence something has on a particular outcome. "Concerning" is more formal than "about".

instrumental in

Highlights the role of something being essential or a key factor in achieving a result.

critical to

Emphasizes the importance of something as being essential for a particular outcome.

significant for

Indicates the notable importance or effect of something on a specific area.

pivotal for

Highlights that something is a turning point or has a crucial influence.

decisive for

Emphasizes the final and conclusive impact on something. It is also shorter and more direct.

determining of

Uses a gerund form of the verb "determine", suggesting the action of influencing or deciding something.

bears on

This phrase suggests relevance or influence on something, implying that it has some impact or connection.

FAQs

What does "determinative about" mean?

The phrase "determinative about" suggests something is crucial in deciding or influencing a specific outcome or aspect. However, it's not a commonly used phrase, and alternatives might be clearer.

What can I say instead of "determinative about"?

You can use alternatives like "decisive concerning", "conclusive regarding", or "critical to" depending on the context.

Is "determinative about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "determinative about" is grammatically correct, but it is less common than alternatives and might sound awkward to some readers. Therefore, it's advisable to consider more standard expressions.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "determinative about"?

Focus on using more precise verbs and prepositions to convey the meaning. For example, instead of "determinative about", consider using "instrumental in" or "pivotal for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.