determines to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determines to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "determines" does not pair with "to" in this context. Example: "She determines to finish the project by the deadline." (This should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So he determines to wake him up.

The Guardian

For when Ochoa determines to do something, it generally happens.

The Guardian - Sport

And he determines to make the real spiritual turnaround that "The Turnaround" is about.

The New York Times - Books

To discover more, after several weeks, Judah determines to ask some of them.

The Guardian - Books

Distrustful, he regards this as "bewitchment" and determines to resist it.

The Guardian - Books

Sophie is 12 when Novalis (22) first meets her and determines to marry her.

The Guardian - Books

Hellena, a wealthy heiress unfazed by Willmore's randy promiscuity, determines to get her man.

The Guardian

Grumpy but grateful for the distraction, Easy determines to get to the bottom of things.

The New York Times - Books

Thereafter Freya privately determines to do anything she can to attract his attention.

The Guardian - Books

A domineering colonel along the lines of George Armstrong Custer determines to tame the animal.

The New York Times

Inspired by their love, the young narrator determines to be a painter.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "determines to" with more standard phrases like "decides to" or "resolves to" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Don't assume that "determine" functions like other verbs that take "to" for infinitives. Instead of saying "He determines to go", use "He determines that he will go" or the simpler "He decides to go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determines to" functions as a verb phrase intended to express a decision or intention. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Instead, "determines" is usually followed by a 'that' clause or used in contexts where it signifies finding something out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "determines to" appears with some frequency, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers alternatives such as "decides to" or "resolves to". The phrase is most often encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts, but its questionable grammatical status means it should be avoided in formal writing. Using more standard alternatives will improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decides to

Replaces "determines to" with a more common and grammatically sound expression of making a decision.

resolves to

Similar to "decides to", but conveys a sense of firmness and commitment in the decision.

is determined to

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the state of being resolute about something.

makes a decision to

A more verbose but grammatically correct way to express the act of deciding.

undertakes to

Implies taking on a task or responsibility with a determined mindset.

sets out to

Focuses on the initiation of an action with a specific goal in mind.

aims to

Expresses the intention to achieve a particular outcome.

intends to

States a plan or purpose to do something.

plans to

Expresses a scheduled intention or arrangement to do something.

endeavors to

Indicates an attempt to do something, often implying effort and persistence.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "determines to"?

Instead of "determines to", use phrases like "decides to" or "resolves to", which are more standard and clear.

Is "determines to" ever correct in English?

While you might encounter "determines to", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives like "decides" or "resolves".

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

Use "determine" followed by a 'that' clause (e.g., "He determined that he would go") or in contexts unrelated to intention (e.g., "Factors determine the outcome").

What's the difference between "decides to" and "determines to"?

"Decides to" is a common and accepted way to express a decision, while "determines to" is generally considered a grammatical error. Always prefer "decides to" for clarity and correctness.