determines

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "determines" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is the cause or the basis for a decision or conclusion. For example: "The court determined that the defendant was guilty of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speaking to the Guardian, Llamas said he believes the next generation of the Apple Watch will be the one that determines whether consumers are actually interested in the device.

The Guardian - Tech

Neither of these categories makes or produces anything but their wealth, which is really a super-wealth that has broken away from the everyday reality of the market, which determines how most ordinary people live.

The Guardian - Books

A Treasury spokeswoman said: "The Bank of England is an independent body and as such determines its own work programme.

The Guardian - Business

Clusters of similar businesses can have much greater clout together Maureen Gori de Murden The nature of your business and your target market also determines what makes a location right for your business, says Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW, a charity that provides training and employment opportunities to people with learning difficulties.

The Guardian

More fundamentally, political liberty is possessed entirely by the state, for in such a framework the state determines what liberties to grant to individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"No one from these TV stations determines editorial content".

The Guardian

He pledged that "by the end of this year and before the controls on Bulgarians and Romanians are lifted, we are going to strengthen the test that determines which migrants can access benefits".

The Guardian

"In modern Britain – more than in most OECD countries – your background still determines your destiny," he will say.

The Guardian

The ability to control if and when we parent determines how we participate in society.

The Guardian - Opinion

So by the end of this year… …and before the controls on Bulgarians and Romanians are lifted… …we are going to strengthen the test that determines which migrants can access benefits.

The Guardian

But Deputy Attorney General James Cole told the House intelligence committee on Tuesday that the NSA determines for itself whether that standard is met.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determines", ensure the subject clearly identifies the factor that is causing a specific outcome or influencing a decision. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "determines" with a vague or ambiguous subject. Ensure the subject clearly and directly causes the outcome you are describing. For example, instead of "Factors determine...", specify which factors are relevant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "determines" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates that the subject performs the action of deciding or controlling an outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determines" is a very common verb form used to express that something directly influences or decides an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal/business contexts. When using "determines", ensure a clear subject to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "establishes", "decides", and "influences", each carrying slightly different nuances. This analysis provides guidance for using "determines" effectively in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishes

Focuses on setting something firmly or officially.

decides

Highlights the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion.

influences

Emphasizes the power to affect something without necessarily dictating it.

governs

Suggests a rule-based or systematic control.

dictates

Implies a strong, authoritative control over an outcome.

controls

Highlights the ability to manage or regulate something.

conditions

Focuses on setting the circumstances that make something possible.

shapes

Emphasizes the process of forming or molding something.

resolves

Implies finding a solution or making a firm decision.

fixes

Highlights setting a value or state in a definitive way.

FAQs

How can I use "determines" in a sentence?

Use "determines" to indicate that one thing directly influences or decides the outcome of another. For example, "The quality of the ingredients "determines" the taste of the dish".

What are some alternatives to using "determines"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "influences", "decides", "establishes", or "governs".

Which is correct, "determines" or "determine"?

"Determines" is the third-person singular present tense form, used when the subject is singular (e.g., "He "determines" the outcome"). "Determine" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "They "determine" the outcome") or with "I", "you", "we".

What's the difference between "determines" and "affects"?

"Determines" implies a direct and decisive influence, essentially setting the outcome. "Affects", on the other hand, suggests a more general influence that may not be the sole deciding factor. Use "determines" when the subject is the primary or only factor, and "affects" when it's one of several factors.