he was determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was determining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is in the process of making a decision or figuring something out. Example: "He was determining the best course of action before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Vinegrad said yesterday that he was determining whether to file new obstruction charges, which the appeals court seemed to invite.

The New York Times

He was determining these sentiments as those of a base English lower class, incapable of transcending skin colour the way their betters can.

The Guardian - Opinion

Evans, however, did say he was determining where other teams stood on the matter of trades, and a few hours later acquired Omar Daal from the Philadelphia Phillies for the Dodgers' decimated pitching rotation.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was asked by the governor, when he was determining whether or not I was the person he would support, about my views regarding statehood," Mr. Romney said, referring to Gov. Luis Fortuño of Puerto Rico, who met him at the airport and introduced him — in English and in Spanish — to the small assembled crowd.

The New York Times

"So maybe he was testing, maybe he was checking, maybe he was determining if there was anything that could be a soft target for him".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He was determined to stay alive, determined to suffer.

Vice

But he was determined.

Independent

He was determined.

The New York Times

He was determined and defiant.

The New York Times

He was determined to win.

The New Yorker

"He was determined," Wilkens said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was determining" when you want to emphasize a process of careful consideration or investigation leading to a decision, often implying a level of complexity or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "he was determining" in situations where simpler alternatives like "he was deciding" or "he was figuring out" would be more appropriate. "Determining" is best reserved for scenarios involving a more complex evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was determining" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating an action in progress in the past. It describes a state of actively figuring out or deciding something. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing someone evaluating options or investigating a situation before reaching a conclusion. The grammar is standard and the phrase is readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was determining" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe someone in the process of making a decision or figuring something out, often involving careful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's not the most common phrase, it's perfectly acceptable in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. If a more casual tone is desired, simpler alternatives like "he was deciding" or "he was figuring out" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was deciding

Replaces 'determining' with 'deciding', focusing on the act of making a choice.

he was figuring out

Uses 'figuring out' instead of 'determining', emphasizing the process of understanding.

he was assessing

Substitutes 'determining' with 'assessing', highlighting the evaluation aspect.

he was evaluating

Replaces 'determining' with 'evaluating', stressing the judgment process.

he was considering

Uses 'considering' instead of 'determining', emphasizing contemplation.

he was ascertaining

Substitutes 'determining' with 'ascertaining', focusing on finding something out for certain.

he was establishing

Replaces 'determining' with 'establishing', shifting the focus to setting something up definitively.

he was resolving

Uses 'resolving' instead of 'determining', highlighting the act of making a firm decision.

he was concluding

Substitutes 'determining' with 'concluding', emphasizing the reaching of a decision or judgment.

he was working out

Replaces 'determining' with 'working out', highlighting the problem-solving aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "he was determining" in a sentence?

Use "he was determining" to describe someone in the process of carefully figuring something out or making a decision. For instance, "He was determining the best course of action."

What can I say instead of "he was determining"?

You can use alternatives like "he was deciding", "he was figuring out", or "he was assessing" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "he was determining" in casual conversation?

"He was determining" can sound a bit formal for casual conversation. Simpler options like "he was deciding" or "he was figuring out" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "he was determining" and "he was deciding"?

"He was determining" implies a more thorough process of consideration and evaluation than "he was deciding". "Determining" suggests a more complex or uncertain situation.