does not determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not determine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing factors or elements that do not have a decisive influence on an outcome or situation. Example: "The weather does not determine our plans for the weekend; we will go hiking regardless of the forecast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The board does not determine fault.

The New York Times

But culture does not determine growth.

The New York Times

The canon shapes the world; it does not determine it.

The New York Times - Books

History influences but does not determine how we act today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Redistricting does not determine the outcome of every race.

The New York Times

It does not determine who is completely recovered.

The New York Times - Sports

Being from a minority group does not determine that you will underachieve.

The Guardian

He continued, "I sincerely believe that demographics does not determine destiny.

The New Yorker

Parenting alone does not determine someone's drug addiction or occupational or financial outcomes.

The New York Times

Tall people naturally have longer strides, but stride length, it turns out, does not determine speed.

The New York Times

For here, after all, it is our lives that determine dinner; dinner does not determine life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not determine", consider following it with an explanation of what factors do influence the outcome, providing a more complete picture.

Common error

Avoid using "does not determine" when a factor has some influence, even if it's not decisive. Instead, use phrases like "does not solely determine" or "is not the primary determinant" to acknowledge the partial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not determine" functions as a negation of causation or influence. It asserts that a specific factor lacks the power to single-handedly decide or control a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to clarify that a given factor is not the sole determinant of an outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct. It's prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, and its purpose is to prevent oversimplification by highlighting that other variables also influence the result. Related phrases include "does not dictate" and "does not influence". When using "does not determine", avoid overstating the lack of influence and consider specifying what factors do contribute to the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not dictate

Emphasizes a lack of authoritative control or command.

does not control

Focuses on the absence of direct control or management.

does not govern

Highlights a lack of regulatory or governing power.

does not influence

Indicates a lack of impact or sway on a particular result.

does not predetermine

Stresses the absence of a prior or inevitable decision.

is not a deciding factor

Points out that something isn't the key element in making a decision.

is not the only factor

Highlights that other elements contribute to the final outcome.

plays no role in

Indicates an absence of participation or influence in something.

has no bearing on

Highlights that something does not have relevance to the situation.

is not responsible for

Emphasizes a lack of accountability or causation.

FAQs

How can I use "does not determine" in a sentence?

Use "does not determine" to indicate that something isn't the deciding factor in a particular outcome. For example, "The cost of a dish here "does not determine" its size."

What phrases are similar to "does not determine"?

Alternatives include "does not dictate", "does not control", or "does not influence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "does not determines" instead of "does not determine"?

No, "does not determines" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "does not determine". The verb should be in its base form after "does not".

What's the difference between "does not determine" and "influences"?

"Does not determine" indicates a lack of decisive power or control, while "influences" suggests a more subtle or partial effect. Something that influences can contribute to an outcome without being the sole or primary cause.