determine the trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine the trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving analysis, planning, or prediction, particularly in fields like science, engineering, or strategy. Example: "The scientists worked tirelessly to determine the trajectory of the asteroid to ensure it would not collide with Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Does Newton's second law determine the trajectory?

Encyclopedia Britannica

When that happens, the inclination of the spinning molecules will determine the trajectory they take.

MIT Technology Review

This is a defining moment for his presidency, and how he responds will determine the trajectory of his term.

The New York Times

To determine the trajectory of residential segregation over time we need a series of consistent population estimates.

Princeton University

The quality of the primary attachment to (usually) a mother — whether strong and loving, uncertain, or absent — helps determine the trajectory of a child's unfolding life.

The New York Times - Health

Though your PhD will evolve over time, the tasks and timeline that you identify in your proposal will continue to help determine the trajectory of your research.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

To determine the trajectories of emissions and forcings for each RCP, the teams reviewed the existing literature and synthesized values for a wide range of scientific and socioeconomic data, like population growth, GDP, air pollution, land use and energy sources.

The Guardian

The third method employed an optimisation technique in which a genetic algorithm was used to determine the trajectories for the steered fibres.

Composite Structures

We ran our magnetosphere code under boundary conditions appropriate at Mercury to determine the trajectories of 3500 Na photoions in the Hermean magnetosphere.

Advances in Space Research

A Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) technique was used to determine the trajectories of almost neutrally-buoyant 5 10 mm alginate spheres in viscous non-Newtonian solutions.

Chemical Engineering Science

Only local information, i.e., marginal rates of substitution (MRSs) of any player, is required to determine the trajectories of our piecewise intertemporal process.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, use "determine the trajectory" to illustrate strategic planning and the projected outcomes of specific actions.

Common error

Avoid using "determine the trajectory" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "find the way" or "figure out the path" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the trajectory" functions as a verb phrase, where "determine" acts as the transitive verb and "the trajectory" serves as its direct object. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine the trajectory" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's prevalent in scientific, academic, and news contexts for expressing the calculation or prediction of a path or course. While versatile, it is most appropriate for formal or neutral registers. Alternatives like "establish the path" or "calculate the course" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Use the phrase in technical or strategic contexts, but avoid overuse in casual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish the path

Focuses on setting the course rather than calculating it.

calculate the course

Emphasizes the quantitative aspect of finding a path.

ascertain the route

Suggests discovering a pre-existing route rather than defining a new one.

define the direction

Highlights the act of setting a course or aim.

chart the progress

Implies tracking advancement along a route.

project the outcome

Shifts the focus to the end result rather than the path itself.

forecast the development

Suggests predicting growth or evolution along a certain line.

predict the trend

Focuses on forecasting a general pattern or tendency.

gauge the advancement

Emphasizes measuring forward movement.

figure out the way

Implies finding a solution or method, often in a less formal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "determine the trajectory" when you want to describe the process of finding or calculating the path that something will follow. For example, "Scientists use complex equations to determine the trajectory of a rocket."

What phrases are similar to "determine the trajectory"?

Alternatives include "establish the path", "calculate the course", or "define the direction". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "determine the trajectory"?

It's appropriate to use "determine the trajectory" in contexts involving detailed analysis, planning, or prediction. It is suitable for fields like science, engineering, or strategic planning.

Is "determine the trajectory" formal or informal?

"Determine the trajectory" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more informal contexts, simpler alternatives such as "find the way" or "figure out the path" may be preferable.