determine when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to figure out the timing of something. For example: You need to determine when the best time for the meeting is.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can't determine when people are dying.

The New York Times

Satisfying these criteria would determine when the withdrawal would be.

The New York Times

Sometimes economic factors determine when a producer declares a vintage.

The New York Times - Food

How does the museum determine when to reprint the objects?

The New Yorker

Investigators hope autopsies will help determine when they died.

The New York Times

The tests could not determine when the infection occurred.

The New York Times - Science

"It allows us to determine when a species went extinct".

The New York Times - Science

But you can determine when you make a gift".

The New York Times

State officials will determine when the transition is over.

The New York Times

It said it could not determine when that failure happened.

The New York Times

How do you determine when to sell?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determine when", ensure that the context clearly indicates what event or action's timing is being investigated. Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "determine when" without specifying what needs to be timed. For example, instead of saying "we need to determine when", clarify with "we need to determine when the project should start".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine when" functions as an interrogative construction, typically introducing an indirect question or a clause expressing the need to ascertain the timing of an event or action. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "determine when" is a versatile and commonly used expression for figuring out the timing of an event or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various situations. Its frequent appearance in news articles, scientific papers, and wiki articles underscores its broad utility. While alternatives like "ascertain the time" or "establish the timing" exist, "determine when" provides a straightforward and easily understood way to express the need to clarify or investigate temporal aspects. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what event's timing is in question to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascertain the time

This alternative focuses on finding out the exact time of an event.

establish the timing

Emphasizes setting or confirming the specific moment something will occur.

figure out the date

More specific, focusing on the calendar date rather than just the time.

identify the moment

Highlights pinpointing a precise instant in time.

discern the period

Refers to recognizing a specific duration or segment of time.

calculate the deadline

Focuses on computing or estimating the final time for something.

specify the occasion

Emphasizes naming or detailing a particular event and its timing.

pinpoint the hour

Concentrates on identifying the precise hour of an occurrence.

resolve the schedule

Implies settling or finalizing the arrangement of events in time.

work out the timing

Suggests a process of planning and coordination to find the best time.

FAQs

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

Use "determine when" to express the action of finding out the timing of something. For example: "Scientists are working to determine when the next earthquake will occur".

What are some alternatives to "determine when"?

Alternatives include "ascertain the time", "establish the timing", or "figure out the date", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "determine of when" instead of "determine when"?

No, "determine of when" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and more concise phrasing is simply "determine when".

What's the difference between "determine when" and "identify when"?

"Determine when" implies a process of investigation or calculation to find the timing, while "identify when" suggests recognizing or pinpointing a specific moment that is already known to some extent.