determine themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability of individuals or groups to make their own decisions or establish their own identities. Example: "In a democratic society, citizens should have the right to determine themselves and their future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

However, they cannot be allowed to determine themselves what the rules are.

The Guardian

Students find difficult to determine themselves if they are experiencing a substance abuse problem and a co-occurring mental disorder.

Stanford University

We find that funds that determine themselves how to vote are more likely to favor shareholder proposals than are funds that delegate voting to external managers.

Columbia University

After 1945, existentialism, depicting humanity alone in a godless universe, provided intellectual scaffolding for this view of individuals as free to determine themselves through such choices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The way the law works is that it is up to individual members of any local authority to determine themselves when they feel it is appropriate to declare an interest".

The Guardian

In addition to the 48 funds in our original sample that determine themselves how to vote, we obtained the voting records of 11 public pension funds that delegate proxy voting to institutions managing assets for them.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Suppose consider a link from A → B where A and B are the nodes, these two nodes determined themselves to send query message for particular time gap period g/τ, where as τ = jitter (packet delay variations).

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

"People determine for themselves whether they're getting in the way or not," he said.

The New York Times

However, Congress decided to let accountants determine for themselves what their reports would contain.

The Economist

Readers can then determine for themselves whether "Patriot Act" is an Orwellian euphemism or an accurate expression of patriotism.

The New York Times

We simply present the facts and let the advertisers determine for themselves" the readers whom they want to reach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "determine themselves" when emphasizing the inherent right or ability of individuals or groups to make autonomous decisions or define their own characteristics without external coercion.

Common error

Avoid using "determine themselves" when the outcome is heavily influenced or dictated by external factors. This phrase suggests a level of autonomy that may not be present.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "determine themselves" is as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of determining is directed back to the subject. It emphasizes the agency and autonomy of the subject in defining or deciding something about themselves. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine themselves" is a valid and frequently used phrase that highlights the capacity of individuals or entities to make autonomous decisions or define their own characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to use it when genuine self-determination is implied. Alternatives such as "decide for themselves" or "define their own identity" can provide nuanced variations. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific sources, its use spans from neutral to formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decide for themselves

Focuses on the act of making a decision, emphasizing individual autonomy in the choice.

make their own choices

Focuses on the freedom to select from different options, free from coercion.

be self-determining

Expresses the quality of being independent and autonomous in one's actions.

define their own identity

Emphasizes the act of shaping one's self-perception and how they are seen by others.

exercise their autonomy

Highlights the active use of one's independence and self-governance.

establish their own rules

Highlights the creation of a personal or group set of guidelines or principles.

set their own course

Implies choosing a direction or path without external influence.

dictate their own terms

Suggests the power to set the conditions and requirements for an agreement or situation.

chart their own destiny

Suggests taking control of one's future and life events.

govern themselves

Highlights autonomy in leadership and decision-making for a group or nation.

FAQs

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

Use "determine themselves" to indicate the ability of individuals or groups to make their own choices or define their own identities. For example: "Citizens should have the right to "determine themselves" and their future".

What's a good alternative to "determine themselves"?

Alternatives include phrases like "decide for themselves", "define their own identity", or "make their own choices", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "determine themselves" in formal writing?

Yes, "determine themselves" is suitable for formal writing as long as the context clearly implies autonomous decision-making or self-definition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and correct usage.

How does "determine themselves" differ from "decide for themselves"?

"Determine themselves" often implies a deeper sense of self-definition or control over one's destiny, while "decide for themselves" focuses more on the act of making a specific choice.