determine something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of finding out or establishing a fact, conclusion, or decision about a particular subject. Example: "The researchers aim to determine something about the effects of climate change on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But how to determine something like this?

The Guardian - Books

For the interview, at least, we were expected to help determine something not easily quantifiable: "fit".

The Economist

The case will also determine something more fundamental: the boundaries of permissible use of personal political data.

The Guardian - Opinion

How to determine something so subjective as what makes one person giggle and another give a dismissive shrug?

The New York Times

A test with dubious reliability should not be used to determine something as crucial as the whether a child should remain with their parents.

Harvard University

But the idea of applying a software algorithm to determine something as unique as someone's personal style might seem anathema to dyed-in-the-wool fashion lovers.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Bob and Jeanne have been through hell, but they are determined something positive will come out of it.

Independent

Even if an observer a long distance away made an observation that "determined" something about your system, you'd have no way of knowing it.

Forbes

Therefore, you're determining something about the physical reality of the other system without measuring it, and therefore there's some sort of objective reality.

Forbes

"Once we've determined something is both illegal and in our remit, we categorise the image or video," he explains.

Vice

"Once we've determined something is both illegal and in our remit, we categorize the image or video," he explains.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determine something", ensure that the object of the phrase is clearly defined. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing. For example, instead of saying "We need to determine something," specify what needs to be determined, such as "We need to determine the root cause of the problem."

Common error

Avoid using "determine something" when a more specific verb would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The study will determine something about the effects of the new drug," consider using a more precise verb like "evaluate", "assess", or "investigate" to clearly convey the study's purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine something" functions as a verb phrase where 'determine' is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('something'). Ludwig AI indicates this is a grammatically sound construction, serving to express the action of finding out or deciding upon a particular issue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine something" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of finding out, establishing, or deciding upon a particular issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used in news, science, and academic contexts, demonstrating its adaptability across various registers. While alternatives such as "ascertain something" or "establish something" may be more suitable in certain contexts, "determine something" remains a reliable and frequently employed expression. When using it, ensure the object of the phrase is clear to avoid vagueness. It's important to avoid overusing it in vague contexts when more precise verbs would enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascertain something

This alternative emphasizes finding something out with certainty.

establish something

Focuses on setting something firmly or proving it to be true.

figure something out

Suggests a process of thinking and problem-solving to understand something.

find something out

Implies discovering information, often through investigation.

decide something

Highlights the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion.

resolve something

Indicates settling or solving a question or issue.

uncover something

Implies revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown.

deduce something

Focuses on reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning.

identify something

Highlights recognizing or pointing out a particular thing.

discover something

Suggests finding something unexpectedly or during a search.

FAQs

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

Use "determine something" when you want to express the act of finding out or establishing a fact, conclusion, or decision about a specific subject. For example, "Scientists are trying to determine something about the origins of the universe."

What are some alternatives to "determine something"?

You can use alternatives like "ascertain something", "establish something", or "figure something out" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "determine something" or "determine what"?

The choice depends on the context. "Determine something" is suitable when the object is understood or less important to specify. "Determine what" is preferable when the object needs clarification. For example, "determine what caused the error" is more specific than "determine something about the error".

What's the difference between "determine something" and "find something"?

"Determine something" implies a more formal or systematic process of investigation leading to a conclusion, while "find something" generally refers to discovering something, possibly without a formal investigation. You might "find something" by accident, but you "determine something" through deliberate effort.