determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "determining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of ascertaining or deciding something, typically after careful consideration or investigation. For example: "After careful consideration, the judge was determining the sentence for the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

In its ruling, the court sided with Taylor, determining that Kobach "shall not include Taylor's name on any ballots" in the forthcoming Senate election.

The Guardian

When it comes to determining what's in the public interest, we're taking into account a number of factors.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report says: "As noted by the House of Commons health committee, 'The alcohol industry should not carry more weight in determining health policy than the Chief Medical Officer'".

The Guardian

The politicians who are determining what we do, their knowledge is lacking".

The Guardian - Arts

Until the Electoral Act became law, the house of parliament where the electoral dispute arose was responsible for determining the outcome of a disputed election.

The Guardian

But the judge said said that "a rational system of law ought to provide a readily understandable means of reconciling the competing claims of the conservation of species of birds with those of a facility for the development, manufacture and testing of military aircraft... or determining which should have priority".

The Guardian

The research found that time of broadcast was the single most important factor in determining whether viewers thought violent scenes were acceptable or not.

The Guardian

Park spokeswoman Sharon Parker said: "We are committed to determining the cause of this tragic accident and will utilise every resource throughout this process.

The Guardian

The policy creates a protocol for determining whether someone who identifies as female but was born male can compete on female school teams.

The Guardian

Specific patterns in our speech also go some way to determining how people perceive us both socially and at work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determining", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors are being considered in the process of reaching a conclusion or decision. For example, "Determining the optimal strategy requires careful analysis of market trends."

Common error

Avoid using "determining" without specifying what is being determined or the criteria involved. For instance, instead of saying "The committee is determining...", specify "The committee is determining the eligibility criteria for the scholarship."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "determining" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund functioning as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing it in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determining" is a versatile verb form used to describe the process of finding something out or making a decision after careful consideration. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily as a present participle or gerund. Its usage spans various contexts, but is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science-related content. While grammatically sound, it's important to use "determining" with clarity, specifying what is being determined and the factors involved. Alternatives like "establishing", "ascertaining", and "identifying" can provide nuance based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Finding out

Is a more general term for discovering information.

Ascertaining

Implies a more careful or formal effort to find something out for certain.

Deciding

Emphasizes the act of making a choice or resolution.

Assessing

Emphasizes the evaluation or judgment aspect in the process.

Establishing

Focuses more on setting something firmly in place or proving it definitively.

Gauging

Suggests measuring or estimating something, often in a non-precise way.

Figuring out

Suggests a problem-solving approach to finding a solution or understanding something.

Identifying

Highlights the act of recognizing or pointing out something specific.

Working out

Suggests effort and process in reaching a conclusion or understanding.

Resolving

Focuses on settling or finding a solution to a problem or issue.

FAQs

How can I use "determining" in a sentence?

You can use "determining" to describe the action of finding something out or deciding on something after investigation or consideration. For example: "The scientists are "determining the cause" of the disease."

What are some alternatives to using "determining"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "establishing", "ascertaining", or "identifying".

Is there a difference between "determining" and "deciding"?

"Determining" often implies a process of investigation or calculation before reaching a conclusion, while "deciding" suggests making a choice between options. Consider: "They are "determining the best course of action"" versus "They are "deciding which option to choose"".

What's the difference between "determining" and "ascertaining"?

While both involve finding something out, "ascertaining" usually suggests a more formal or careful effort to establish a fact. "Determining" can be used in broader contexts. For example, "The court is "determining the facts" of the case" and "The auditor is "ascertaining the accuracy" of the financial statements".