determine the outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine the outcome" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means to come to a conclusion, or to ascertain the result of something. For example, "The jury will determine the outcome of the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weather can determine the outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

All interact mutually to determine the outcome.

Britannica

Pitching should determine the outcome of this series.

The New York Times - Sports

Pitching should determine the outcome of the series.

The New York Times - Sports

A relatively small number of voters -- less than 30percentt -- can determine the outcome.

The New York Times

Democrats said Mr. Bush's fund-raising would not determine the outcome of the race.

The New York Times

They're creating characters and making choices that determine the outcome of battles".

The New York Times - Magazine

Cities will determine the outcome of the fight to end Aids.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But in an election like this, fraud could determine the outcome".

The New York Times

Those conducting it hope it will determine the outcome of the election.

The New Yorker

"The refs let us determine the outcome rather than one of the refs".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex systems, use "determine the outcome" to emphasize the interplay of various factors leading to a specific result.

Common error

Avoid using "determine the outcome" in simple situations where a more direct verb like "decide" or "cause" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the outcome" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of influencing or establishing a specific result. Ludwig examples illustrate how it's used to describe factors that influence results in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "determine the outcome" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is primarily employed to describe the act of influencing or establishing a specific result across diverse fields like news, media, and science. While versatile, it’s best used in contexts where emphasizing causality or influence is crucial and should be avoided in simpler situations where more direct language would suffice. Related phrases such as "influence the result" and "shape the conclusion" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the deciding factor

It focuses on emphasizing on the factor that is most important for the final choice or selection.

influence the result

This alternative focuses on the act of influencing, rather than the act of establishing the result.

impact the resolution

The impact here means to influence the final resolution of a problem, situation, etc.

shape the conclusion

This suggests a more formative role in influencing the final conclusion.

dictate the consequence

This implies a stronger, more controlling influence over the resulting consequence.

control the endgame

This implies the ability to manage the final stage of a process or event.

establish the effect

This focuses on setting up or proving the effect of an action or event.

decide the upshot

Upshot is a less common synonym for outcome, making this alternative slightly less formal.

govern the sequel

This alternative suggests a rule-based or law-based control over subsequent events. The word sequel is more specific.

set the stage for what's next

This focuses on arranging the circumstances for future events or developments.

FAQs

How can I use "determine the outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "determine the outcome" to express how certain factors influence the result of a situation. For example: "The weather can determine the outcome of the game."

What can I say instead of "determine the outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "influence the result", "shape the conclusion", or "be the deciding factor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "determine the outcome" or "determine the result"?

Both "determine the outcome" and "determine the result" are grammatically correct and very similar. "Outcome" often implies a more complex or long-term effect, while "result" is more general.

What factors might "determine the outcome" of an election?

Many factors can determine the outcome of an election, including voter turnout, campaign strategies, and key issues debated during the election cycle.