is determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is determining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an ongoing action or process of making a decision or finding out something. Example: "The committee is determining the best course of action for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The problem, again, is determining causality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The problem is determining how significant they are.

The Guardian

The next logical step is determining a consumer's mood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is the thing that is determining the first launch".

The New York Times - Magazine

The hard part is determining what is and isn't love.

The New York Times - Books

The first challenge is determining which candidates understand the responsibilities.

The New York Times

The difficulty, of course, is determining this fair value.

The New York Times

The key is determining where the jobs and compensation are.

The New York Times

What is significant is determining the ability of potential foes to develop such devices themselves.

The New York Times - Tech

"What, really, is determining what lives in your house versus my house?" Dunn asked.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You know who is determining everything.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is determining" when describing an ongoing process of finding out or deciding something. Ensure the context clearly indicates that the decision or finding is still in progress.

Common error

While "is determining" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where alternatives like "is ascertaining" or "is establishing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is determining" functions as a present continuous verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes an ongoing action of finding something out or making a decision. It is frequently used in various contexts, as illustrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is determining" functions as a present continuous verb phrase that describes an ongoing action of finding something out or making a decision. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, its formality can be adjusted based on the surrounding language. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "is ascertaining" or "is establishing". As Ludwig AI confirms, "is determining" is a versatile and appropriate choice for conveying ongoing processes of investigation and decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is ascertaining

Focuses more on the process of finding something out for certain.

is establishing

Emphasizes setting something up or proving it.

is deciding

Highlights the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion.

is figuring out

More informal way to express finding a solution or understanding something.

is resolving

Suggests solving a problem or making a firm decision.

is assessing

Implies evaluating or judging something.

is defining

Focuses on setting out the meaning or scope of something.

is setting

Highlights the action of establishing or fixing something.

is concluding

Suggests reaching a decision after consideration.

is finding

Simple way to say that something is being discovered.

FAQs

How can I use "is determining" in a sentence?

You can use "is determining" to describe an ongoing process of finding something out or making a decision. For example: "The committee "is determining" the best course of action."

What are some alternatives to "is determining"?

Alternatives include "is ascertaining", "is deciding", or "is establishing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is determining"?

Yes, the phrase "is determining" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to describe an ongoing process of deciding or finding out something.

What is the difference between "is determining" and "will determine"?

"Is determining" indicates an ongoing process, while "will determine" indicates a future action or decision. For example, "The investigation "is determining" the cause" means the investigation is currently underway. "The investigation "will determine" the cause" means the investigation will eventually find the cause.