how it is determined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how it is determined' is correct for use in written English.
You can use it when referring to a process of how something is decided, or when asking a question about how something is determined. For example: "I'm not sure how it is determined which qualifications are needed to apply to college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

So, yes, Chaplain Barrett "reiterated innumerable times how soldiers' gender is determined" without including God in that determination — because he was telling the soldiers how it is determined according to Army policy, not according to his religious beliefs.

Huffington Post

Assuming that there is, it is also controversial what sort of content it is, what its relation to ordinary or "broad" content is, and how it is determined by the individual's intrinsic properties.

SEP

Since its discovery, parenchymal heterogeneity has raised the question of how it is determined by regulatory factors.

Archives of Toxicology

Questions including how people learn; what are the learning styles, and how it is determined.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Talk story on the wind pressure and the building sway of the Empire State Building, and how it is determined.

The New Yorker

But the point need not be labored, for no matter how it is determined it can give no aid or comfort to petitioner.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He went on to describe how Vietnam had begun to produce enough rice to feed itself and how it was determined to find its own way without surrendering its Socialist principals.

The New York Times

> identified initially and how it was determined it was Western vs Eastern.

Cornell University

Lowell declined to answer questions about how it was determined that none of the emails contained classified information.

The Washington Post

"I do think there are some questions to be asked about the shortlisting process and how it's determined who is an acceptable candidate and who is not".

Independent

But there would be everything wrong with providing a massive government-backed concessional loan to achieve a political end without proper public scrutiny or process, or even a definition of how it was determined to be in the public interest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how it is determined", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject being determined.

Common error

Avoid using "how it is determined" in situations where an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It is determined how the budget will be allocated", consider "The committee determines how the budget will be allocated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how it is determined" functions as a relative clause, introducing a question or explanation about the method or process by which something is decided or ascertained. Ludwig shows multiple examples of this usage in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how it is determined" serves as a grammatically sound relative clause, typically initiating inquiries or explanations regarding decision-making or ascertainment processes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. For clarity, explicitly state the subject being determined. Consider alternative phrasings like "how it's decided" for more informal settings or when active voice enhances directness. While versatile, avoiding ambiguity is key to leveraging the phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how it's decided

Uses a contraction to make the phrase more informal.

by what means it is determined

Adds emphasis on the method or means used.

how the determination is made

Focuses on the act of determination itself.

what the process is for determining it

Breaks down the phrase into a question about the process.

how the decision is reached

Replaces "determined" with "reached", focusing on the outcome as a decision.

what factors influence its determination

Shifts the focus to the influencing factors.

the methodology for determining it

Replaces "how" with "methodology" to emphasize a structured approach.

what criteria are used

Highlights the specific standards employed.

what the basis for its determination is

Focuses on the fundamental reason or justification.

on what grounds it is determined

Emphasizes the justification or rationale behind the determination.

FAQs

How can I use "how it is determined" in a sentence?

You can use "how it is determined" to introduce a question about a process or method, as in "The study explores "how it is determined" which patients receive priority care".

What are some alternatives to "how it is determined"?

Some alternatives include "how it's decided", "by what means it is determined", or "how the determination is made", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "how it is determined"?

While "how it is determined" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing to use an active subject and verb whenever possible.

What's the difference between "how it is determined" and "how it was determined"?

"How it is determined" refers to a current or ongoing process, while "how it was determined" refers to a process that occurred in the past. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a present or past action.