determine the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "determine the time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to finding out when something will happen, for example: "We must determine the time that the meeting will begin so that everyone knows when to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A postmortem will be carried out to determine the time and cause of death.

The Guardian

We are still evaluating the ruling to determine the time period for deductibility".

The Guardian - Business

Another pathologist testified for the prosecution that it was impossible to determine the time exactly.

The New York Times

These stars were once used by ancient peoples to determine the time of year.

The New Yorker

Other methods, like coherent LIDAR4, exploit the coherence of light to determine the time of flight.

Nature

The device is equipped with GPS to determine the time, the date, and a user's location.

MIT Technology Review

By means of a stopwatch, determine the time of combustion with self-sustained flame.

Cornell University

The TSA Executive Board will determine the time and dates of meetings.

Columbia University

Cameron – backed by Miliband and Nick Clegg – wants to restrict the questions, determine the time, the franchise and the rules.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similarly, landlords will also examine credit card statements to determine the time and location of the various charges.

The New York Times

"We're still trying to determine the time lines, but I can't go into that at this point," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "determine the time" to convey a sense of precision and authority, especially in scientific or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "determine the time" in casual conversations where simpler phrases like "find out when" or "check the time" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the time" functions as a verb phrase, where "determine" is the main verb and "the time" is the direct object. It is used to express the action of finding out or establishing when something will happen. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

23%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Unknown

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine the time" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to convey the act of finding out or establishing when something occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts including science, news media, and academia. While versatile, it's best suited for formal contexts where precision matters, and simpler alternatives can be favored for casual conversations. Common related phrases include "ascertain the hour" and "establish the timing". Remember to adapt your choice of words to suit your audience and the specific situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascertain the hour

Replaces "determine" with "ascertain" and "time" with "hour", focusing on a specific point in the day.

establish the timing

Substitutes "determine" with "establish" and rephrases "time" as "timing", emphasizing setting a schedule.

find out when

Uses simpler, more direct language to convey the meaning of discovering when something occurs.

figure out the hour

Employs a more informal tone using "figure out" instead of "determine" and "hour" in place of "time".

pinpoint the moment

Replaces "determine" with "pinpoint", highlighting precision, and "time" with "moment", suggesting a specific point.

specify the period

Focuses on identifying a span of time rather than a specific point, using more formal vocabulary.

identify when

Offers a simplified version, using the verb "identify" to replace "determine".

set the clock

Suggests adjusting a device or schedule to a particular time.

assess the duration

Focuses on the length of time something lasts, rather than a specific time point.

clock the time

Introduces a colloquial expression emphasizing recording or measuring the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "determine the time" to indicate finding out when something happens, for instance, "Scientists are working to determine the time of the next solar flare".

What are some alternatives to "determine the time"?

Alternatives include "ascertain the hour", "establish the timing", or "find out when", depending on the context.

Is "determine the time" formal or informal?

"Determine the time" leans towards the formal side. Simpler options like "check the time" are better suited for informal conversations.

What's the difference between "determine the time" and "pinpoint the moment"?

"Determine the time" is a general way of saying find out when something will happen. "Pinpoint the moment" suggests finding out the precise instant at which something occurs.