is determined on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is determined on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "is determined by" or "is based on." Example: "The outcome of the experiment is determined by the variables we control."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Admissions is determined on the first day of classes.

Stanford University

Admission is determined on the first day of classes.

Stanford University

The championship is determined on the basis of points accumulated in the individual races.

The New York Times

Grand jury practice is determined on a state-by-state basis.

Columbia University

Anything more than this is determined on an individual basis by a mentee and their mentor.

University of California, Berkeley

For more information, see How MIT's Annual Merit Increase is Determined on the Compensation website.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The presence of a steady state response is determined on the basis of statistical data.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The final exchange rate is determined on the day of sale.

The New York Times

Neighborhood residents do not have priority in enrollment, which is determined on the basis of an admissions test.

The New York Times

The president is determined on his course, and he understandably wants a national security adviser who shares his priorities.

The New York Times

Whether an employment-based classification is bona fide is determined on the basis of all the relevant facts and circumstances.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "is determined by" or "is based on" instead of "is determined on" for grammatically correct writing. The preposition 'by' indicates the cause or means, while 'on' is typically used for location or time.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "determined" when indicating the basis for a decision or outcome. "On" implies a surface or a date, not a causal relationship. Instead, use "by" to show the determining factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is determined on" functions as a passive construction where a subject's state or outcome is described as being decided or influenced. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is typically considered incorrect, with "is determined by" or "is based on" being the preferred alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is determined on" appears frequently across various sources, including scientific, news, and academic contexts, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI pinpoints that "is determined by" or "is based on" are the accurate alternatives. This distinction is crucial for maintaining clarity and credibility in writing. Despite its common usage, prioritizing grammatical correctness ensures effective communication, especially in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is decided by

Replaces 'on' with 'by', which is the standard and grammatically correct preposition.

is based on

Focuses on the foundation or reason for the determination.

is influenced by

Highlights the factors that have an impact on the outcome.

depends on

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the determination.

is contingent on

Similar to 'depends on' but suggests a more formal or significant condition.

is subject to

Implies that the determination is susceptible to change based on certain factors.

is conditional upon

A formal way of saying something depends on a specific condition.

is a function of

Expresses that the determination is mathematically or directly related to another variable.

is governed by

Suggests a rule or principle that dictates the determination.

hinges on

Highlights that the determination is critically dependent on a single key factor.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "is determined on"?

The correct phrasing is "is determined by" or "is based on". For example, instead of "The decision is determined on several factors", say "The decision "is determined by" several factors" or "The decision "is based on" several factors".

What does "is determined by" mean?

"Is determined by" means that something is decided or influenced by specific factors. It indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. Example: "The outcome "is determined by" the variables".

Is "is determined on" grammatically correct?

No, "is determined on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use is "by". Although Ludwig provides several examples, that doesn't mean the sentence is grammatically correct.

When should I use "is based on" instead of "is determined by"?

"Is based on" is used when something relies on a foundation or set of information. "Is determined by" is used when something is directly caused or influenced by something else. Both are better alternatives to the incorrect phrase, "is determined on".