must determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a necessity to find out or establish something. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we must determine the budget and resources required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Realities on the ground must determine strategy.

The New York Times

He or she must determine the governess's guilt or innocence.

The New Yorker

Under current law, Congress must determine any increases.

The New York Times

Before signing up, users must determine whether a service carries games for their consoles.

The New York Times - Tech

But before any rush to judgment, the National Transportation Safety Board must determine what happened.

The New York Times

Most important, it must determine whether Dr. Holsinger holds these benighted views today.

The New York Times

There, you must determine, based on mood and skin tone, what's right for you.

The New York Times

The Bureau of Prisons must determine what care Mr. Gigante needs, the judge ruled.

The New York Times

Your lawyer must determine the status of your debt on the property.

The New York Times

The investigation must determine whether those procedures were followed and if not, why not.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Toyota must determine "do people want to plug in their car?" Ms. Chitwood said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must determine" when emphasizing a necessary action to find out or establish a fact, decision, or outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates why the determination is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "must determine" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "need to find out" or "have to decide" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must determine" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a strong necessity or obligation to ascertain or establish something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's typically used to express that a specific action of finding out or deciding is required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must determine" is a modal verb phrase that signifies a strong necessity to find out or establish something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a formal or professional tone. When writing, use "must determine" to emphasize critical actions, and consider alternatives like "need to ascertain" or "have to establish" for similar but slightly less forceful expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

need to ascertain

Emphasizes a need for certainty and accuracy in finding something out.

have to establish

Highlights the obligation or requirement to establish something as a foundation.

are required to find out

Stresses the formal requirement to discover specific information.

should resolve

Indicates a recommendation or expectation to settle or make a decision about something.

ought to identify

Implies a moral or logical obligation to recognize or point out something.

should clarify

Suggests the need to make something clearer or more understandable.

need to clarify

Highlights the necessity to make something clearer or more understandable.

are expected to resolve

Indicates an anticipation to settle or make a decision about something.

should pinpoint

Implies the need to precisely identify or locate something.

need to pinpoint

Highlights the necessity to precisely identify or locate something.

FAQs

How can I use "must determine" in a sentence?

Use "must determine" to express the necessity of finding something out or reaching a decision. For example, "The committee must determine the eligibility criteria before accepting applications."

What are some alternatives to "must determine"?

You can use alternatives like "need to ascertain", "have to establish", or "should resolve" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "must determine"?

"Must determine" is appropriate in formal writing, legal contexts, or situations where establishing a fact or making a decision is essential. It is commonly found in news reports, scientific papers, and official documents.

Is "must determine" interchangeable with "should determine"?

While both phrases suggest a need for determination, "must determine" indicates a stronger obligation or necessity than "should determine". Use "must" when the determination is critical or legally required, and "should" when it is advisable but not mandatory.