personal determination

USAGE SUMMARY

"personal determination" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to one's own inner drive and motivation to achieve something. Example: "With personal determination and hard work, she was able to overcome all obstacles and successfully launch her own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That took strategic vision, political ruthlessness and personal determination.

The New York Times

It's a love story and a tale of personal determination and courage.

The New York Times

Obama underlined his personal determination to see the euro crisis solved after talks on Sunday morning with Merkel.

The Guardian

Herodotus tried to get the best information available, Kapuscinski notes, "and, given the epoch, this speaks to a tremendous expenditure of effort and to great personal determination...

The New York Times - Books

Yes, that pursuit involves torture, but also intelligence, personal determination and, ultimately, action – all of which Bigelow is well-equipped to convey.

The Guardian - Film

Shackleton, whose expedition had the good fortune of being vividly documented by the photographer Frank Hurley, has seen his reputation soar in recent years -- from an overambitious explorer who led a botched attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent, to an admirable leader whose personal determination and courage saved the lives of all the men in his charge.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Encyclopedia Britannica says that, the qualities that Garibaldi displayed skill as a general, extraordinary personal courage, determination never to surrender gave him a European reputation as a superman, the hero of two worlds.You also described as "illegal" Garibaldi's "invasion" of Sicily.

The Economist

He said the revelations of US internet surveillance represented a "far-reaching interference with our basic democratic rights and personal self-determination", and that Merkel had failed to "protect German citizens' freedoms and interests".

The Guardian

Thus, just as we would consider it an egregious violation of an individual's personal self-determination if she had no choice but to marry the suitor of her father's choice, for instance, we should recognize that no political community is fully self-determining unless it has discretion over which potential immigrants to invite into its political community.

SEP

The article aims to prove the assumption that along with the known approaches to encouraging cultural diversity in education (critical, pluralistic, acculturation), a new methodological approach should be defined – that of forming the culturally-oriented world-view on the basis of personal self-determination in the traditional moral values, as represented in the national culture.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

However, the Liverpool manager was keen to point out there is nothing personal in his determination to beat United again.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's character or actions, use "personal determination" to emphasize their inner strength and unwavering commitment to achieving their goals, even in the face of adversity.

Common error

Avoid implying that "personal determination" is the only factor contributing to success. Acknowledge the role of external factors such as opportunity, support, and resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal determination" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a quality or characteristic, highlighting an individual's resolve and drive. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Personal determination" is a common noun phrase that describes an individual's inner drive, resolve, and commitment to achieving a goal. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase, frequently appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. It is typically used to emphasize an individual's strength of will in the face of adversity. While the phrase itself is neutral, it is important to avoid overstating its role and neglecting the influence of external factors. Alternatives like "personal resolve" or "personal fortitude" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal resolve

Emphasizes the firm decision and unwavering commitment to a course of action.

personal fortitude

Highlights the courage and resilience in facing challenges or adversity.

personal tenacity

Focuses on the persistent and unwavering effort to achieve a goal.

personal dedication

Stresses the commitment and devotion to a particular purpose or task.

personal commitment

Underscores the pledge and obligation to a specific cause or goal.

individual determination

Shifts the focus to the specific characteristic of an individual.

personal stamina

Highlights the endurance and resilience to sustain effort over a prolonged period.

personal desire

Emphasizes the inner want and motivation driving the action.

personal willingness

Highlights the state of being prepared to do something.

personal drive

Focuses on the internal motivation and ambition to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "personal determination" in a sentence?

Use "personal determination" to highlight someone's strong will and dedication in overcoming challenges. For instance, "Despite facing numerous obstacles, her "personal determination" allowed her to achieve her goals".

What are some alternatives to "personal determination" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "personal resolve", "personal fortitude", or "personal tenacity" to express similar concepts of inner strength and commitment, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "personal determination" and "stubbornness"?

"Personal determination" implies a positive drive towards a goal, while "stubbornness" suggests an unwillingness to change course even when it's detrimental. The key difference lies in the rationality and adaptability of the approach.

How does "personal determination" contribute to success?

"Personal determination" provides the inner drive and resilience needed to overcome obstacles, persevere through challenges, and maintain focus on achieving long-term goals. It is a crucial ingredient for success, although not the only one. Remember to consider the role of resources, opportunities and other factors.