might be determined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be determined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing possibilities or uncertainties regarding how something can be established or decided. Example: "The outcome of the experiment might be determined by the temperature at which the reaction occurs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How special might be determined next Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

But now a playoff series might be determined by one.

The New York Times - Sports

He could not define how or when that might be determined.

The New York Times

There will be winners and losers, and they might be determined soon.

The New York Times

Many Hu-watchers had seized on signs that he might be determined to open up China's secretive bureaucracy.

The Economist

Islamists might be determined enough to run effective opposition movements and committed enough to provide street-level social services.

The New York Times

Watching from the bar was Thomas Scott, a lonesome businessman, who turned to his glass as if something might be determined from the ice cubes.

The New York Times

I might be determined to order a salad at TGI Friday's, but then I see the big glossy picture of a cheeseburger on the menu.

The New Yorker

6. Stanford The Cardinal will rely on Nicole Powell, an all-American forward, but success might be determined by point guard Susan King.

The New York Times - Sports

He told reporters yesterday that if the bones turned out to be human, the identity of the person, or persons, from whom they came might be determined.

The New York Times

The groups also expressed dismay at the idea that climate policy might be determined by trade wars rather than climate science.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might be determined" when expressing a tentative conclusion or a possibility that something will be decided or discovered in the future. Ensure the context supports the level of uncertainty implied by "might".

Common error

Avoid using "might be determined" when the outcome is already known or highly probable. In such cases, use stronger verbs like "will be determined" or "is determined" to reflect the higher level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be determined" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or likelihood of something being decided or ascertained in the future. It expresses a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might be determined" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of a future outcome or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including science, news and media, and formal business settings. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when uncertainty is appropriate, avoiding its use when the result is already known or highly probable. Alternatives such as "could be ascertained" or "may be decided" can offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Therefore, "might be determined" effectively conveys a tentative conclusion, allowing for speculation while maintaining grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be ascertained

Replaces "might" with "could", suggesting a slightly lower degree of possibility, and uses "ascertained" instead of "determined" for a more formal tone.

could be established

Similar to "could be ascertained", using "established" focuses on the act of proving or setting something firmly.

may be decided

Substitutes "might" with "may", indicating a similar level of possibility, and uses "decided" to emphasize the act of making a choice or resolution.

can be concluded

Shifts the focus to the act of drawing a conclusion based on evidence, implying a higher degree of certainty than "might be determined".

can be resolved

Implies that something uncertain can reach a resolution.

could be resolved

Implies that something uncertain can reach a resolution.

may be resolved

Implies that something uncertain can reach a resolution.

can be identified

Focuses on the ability to recognize or pinpoint something specific.

may be identified

Focuses on the ability to recognize or pinpoint something specific.

could be identified

Focuses on the ability to recognize or pinpoint something specific.

FAQs

How can I use "might be determined" in a sentence?

Use "might be determined" when you want to express that something could be decided or discovered in the future, but it is not yet certain. For example: "The success of the project "might be determined" by the resources available."

What are some alternatives to "might be determined"?

You can use alternatives like "could be ascertained", "may be decided", or "can be concluded" depending on the specific context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "might be determined" and "will be determined"?

"Might be determined" suggests a possibility or uncertainty about the outcome, while "will be determined" indicates a higher degree of certainty or a future fact. The choice depends on how confident you are about the result.

Is it appropriate to use "might be determined" in formal writing?

Yes, "might be determined" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express uncertainty or a tentative conclusion. It is often used in academic and scientific contexts where outcomes are not yet definitively known.