determines when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determines when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a specific factor or condition that establishes the timing of an event or action. Example: "The weather conditions determine when the outdoor event will take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But your status determines when you board the plane.

The Economist

This is what determines when a painting is finished for me.

The Guardian - Arts

A person's CD4 count determines when they should commence HIV treatment.

The Guardian

So the state of the cervix determines when birth will occur.

The New Yorker

It determines when force can legally be used and against whom.

The Economist

Americans must be able to trust the law that determines when it can be seen.

The Economist

The sensors send information back to the computer, which determines when and for how long to run the system.

The New York Times

The size of your business determines when you have to enrol your employees into a workplace pension scheme.

The Guardian

Yet, because the Chinese government determines when and where a line is constructed, it is likely to avoid such problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officially, the Business Cycle Dating Committee, a group of eminent economists, determines when a slump has turned into a recession.

The New York Times

That panel determines when the antidoping agency gives Armstrong the evidence it has against him, the antidoping agency said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "determines when" to clearly establish a causal relationship between a condition or factor and the timing of an event. Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what factor is doing the determining and what event's timing is being determined.

Common error

Avoid using "determines when" with a vague or unclear subject. Ensure that the subject performing the determination is explicitly stated to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determines when" functions as a connector linking a condition or factor to the timing of an event. This establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that the specified condition dictates the moment something happens. Ludwig shows how the phrase is implemented in news and scientific resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "determines when" is a versatile tool for establishing cause-and-effect relationships related to timing. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in science and news. Alternatives such as "establishes the timing of" and "influences the timing of" can provide nuanced variations, but it's important to maintain clarity by explicitly stating the determining factor. As Ludwig's examples highlight, "determines when" serves to explain the timing of events in a clear, concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishes the timing of

Replaces "determines" with "establishes" and focuses on the "timing" aspect.

dictates the point at which

Uses "dictates" to convey a stronger sense of influence and "point at which" for a specific moment.

sets the time for

More concise and informal, using "sets" instead of "determines".

influences the timing of

Shifts the focus to "influence" rather than direct determination.

controls the moment of

Emphasizes control over a specific "moment".

decides the date of

Replaces "determines" with "decides" and specifies "date".

is the deciding factor for when

Highlights the phrase as the key "deciding factor".

specifies the period when

Uses "specifies" for precision and "period" for duration.

resolves the question of when

Indicates that the phrase answers a question about timing.

governs the occurrence of

Suggests a rule-based influence on the "occurrence" of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "determines when" to show that a specific factor influences the timing of an event. For example, "The weather "determines when" the game will be played".

What are some alternatives to "determines when"?

Alternatives include "establishes the timing of", "dictates the point at which", or "influences the timing of", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "determines when" or "decides when"?

"Determines when" is generally more formal and implies a cause-and-effect relationship, while "decides when" implies a conscious choice. The best option depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "determines when" and "is when"?

"Determines when" indicates a causal relationship where one factor influences the timing of something else. "Is when" simply identifies the time at which something occurs without implying causation.