determines if

USAGE SUMMARY

"determines if" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to introduce a yes-or-no question about something. For example: "The test determines if the material is suitable for use in a medical device."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The verification stage determines if a refined transformation is correct.

Computer Vision and Image Understanding

The review board determines if there is sufficient information to sanction an athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

The OHC gain-bandwidth product, not just bandwidth, determines if high-frequency amplification is possible.

Hearing Research

In some cases, their presence determines if a given inventory is assigned to a leafpoint industry.

Quaternary International

The initial grain orientation determines if such a transition in slip pattern occurs.

Acta Materialia

The key question is who determines if a President is unable to perform his duties?

The New York Times

"It determines if your interactions are effective or not," said Dr. Cacciopo.

The New York Times - Science

The carbon isotope test examines the testosterone and determines if it is natural or synthetic.

The New York Times - Sports

It determines if parting is such sweet sorrow or a thudding disappointment.

The Washington Post

The FHEO determines if reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Don't let someone else set the number that determines if you buy or sell.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "determines if" to introduce a condition that dictates an outcome or decision. It clearly indicates a binary choice or assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "determines if" excessively in convoluted sentence structures. Break down complex sentences to improve clarity and readability. Sometimes, splitting a long sentence into two shorter ones using 'whether' can enhance understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determines if" functions as a conditional connector, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies a condition or test. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, showing it introduces a yes/no question about something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

34%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "determines if" serves as a conditional connector, often employed in academic, scientific, and news contexts to introduce a test or condition that dictates an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English. Although it is grammatically sound, it should be carefully integrated within sentence structures to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "establishes whether" or "ascertains whether" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Overall, "determines if" is a very common and useful phrase when you need to express that something is dependent on a certain condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishes whether

Replaces "determines if" with "establishes whether", implying a more formal and definitive ascertainment.

ascertains whether

Substitutes "determines if" with "ascertains whether", suggesting a careful and thorough investigation to find something out.

verifies whether

Replaces "determines if" with "verifies whether", used to check or prove the truth or accuracy of something.

checks if

Replaces "determines if" with "checks if", making it more casual.

assesses whether

Substitutes "determines if" with "assesses whether", indicating evaluation before reaching a decision.

finds out if

Replaces "determines if" with "finds out if", making the statement more informal.

evaluates if

Replaces "determines if" with "evaluates if", suggesting the making of a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something.

identifies if

Replaces "determines if" with "identifies if", indicating the recognition and stating exactly what something is or who a person is.

investigates if

Replaces "determines if" with "investigates if", suggesting a systematic or formal examination to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth.

establishes if it is true that

This alternative expands upon "determines if" by explicitly stating the aim of establishing the truth of a condition.

FAQs

How can I use "determines if" in a sentence?

Use "determines if" to introduce a condition or factor that influences a specific outcome or decision. For example, "The test "determines if" the water is safe to drink".

What are some alternatives to "determines if"?

Alternatives include "establishes whether", "ascertains whether", or "checks if", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it better to use "determines if" or "determines whether"?

"Determines whether" is generally considered more formal and grammatically precise. "Determines if" is acceptable, especially in less formal contexts, but "determines whether" is often preferred for clarity and precision.

What is the difference between "determines if" and "evaluates if"?

"Determines if" suggests a binary outcome, while "evaluates if" implies a more in-depth assessment or judgment. "Determines if" is used when checking for a specific condition; "evaluates if" is used when assessing multiple factors.