it was determined by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was determined by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the source or cause of a conclusion or decision made in a particular context. Example: "The outcome of the experiment was determined by the variables we controlled during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cause of it was determined by Armauer Hansen, in 1874.

The New Yorker

"The left-right movement wasn't determined primarily by the spin; it was determined by something else".

The New York Times - Sports

"The size of it was determined by what the projected needs of the courts would be by 2030".

The New York Times

According to press reports, unchallenged by the royal family, it was determined by the stars that the Crown Prince should not marry until age 35.

The New York Times

As for the timing, Mr. Regev said, it "was determined by the legislative process and the legal process" and had nothing to do with the peace process.

The New York Times

"Apple's Irish tax rate has no rational basis; it was determined by what Apple was 'prepared to accept' – with the threat that it would cut jobs in Ireland if it didn't get its way.

The Guardian - Tech

Farrell won the award, given to the player who "makes the greatest impact on a Super League season" in 1996 and 2004, when it was determined by an anonymous panel drawn from the media with a bit of expert advice.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is my understanding that it was determined by both of them that this was not the right thing to be doing," the spokesman is quoted saying in Tampa Bay Online.

The Guardian

Previously when gas was detected, he said, the utility had to stay on the site until it was determined by a distant laboratory whether the gas was from its pipes or a landfill.

The New York Times

This law expresses the inverse relationship that exists between the pressure and volume of a gas, and it was determined by measuring the volume occupied by a constant quantity of air when compressed by differing weights of mercury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was determined by simulation that IMFs 1 to 3 can be considered as noise.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was determined by", ensure that the subject and the determining factor are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It was determined by the process", specify "The outcome was determined by the process".

Common error

Avoid using "it was determined by" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure that the "it" refers to something specific and unambiguous in the preceding context to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was determined by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (determination) was performed on a subject by a specific agent or factor. This highlights the source or cause of a decision, conclusion, or outcome. As supported by Ludwig, this construction is widely accepted and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was determined by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that serves to highlight the factor or entity influencing a specific outcome or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its prevalence in scientific, news, and formal contexts underscores its suitability for professional communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both the subject and the determining element to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "it was decided by" and "it was influenced by", offering nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was established by

Replaces "determined" with "established", suggesting a firm confirmation or validation.

it was decided by

Substitutes "determined" with "decided", emphasizing the act of making a choice or decision.

it was influenced by

Replaces "determined" with "influenced", highlighting the impact or effect of something on the outcome.

it was governed by

Changes "determined" to "governed", implying a set of rules or principles that dictate the outcome.

it was controlled by

Replaces "determined" with "controlled", emphasizing the power or authority exerted over the outcome.

it was dictated by

Substitutes "determined" with "dictated", suggesting an authoritative command or instruction that influences the outcome.

it was contingent upon

Replaces "determined by" with "contingent upon", indicating that the outcome is dependent on certain conditions.

it was a function of

Replaces "determined by" with "a function of", implying a mathematical or causal relationship.

the cause of it was

Inverts the structure to focus on the cause, shifting the emphasis.

the reasons for it were

Explains the reasons for something. It changes the sentence structure to focus on reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "it was determined by" in a sentence?

Use "it was determined by" to indicate what factor or entity influenced or decided a particular outcome or decision. For example: "The success of the project "it was determined by" the team's dedication and expertise".

What are some alternatives to "it was determined by"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was decided by", "it was influenced by", or "it was governed by" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was determined by" formal or informal?

"It was determined by" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. More informal alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "it was determined by" and "it was caused by"?

"It was determined by" suggests a deliberate decision or influence leading to a result, while "it was caused by" implies a direct causal relationship. "It was determined by" is often used when multiple factors might contribute to an outcome.