they were determined

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "they were determined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's attitude towards achieving a goal, or to describe their determination. For example, "After months of hard work, they were determined to complete their project on schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they were determined.

The New York Times

Fortunately for Topman, they were determined investigators.

The New Yorker

They were determined not to go home".

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of being tentative, they were determined.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were determined to get a hearing," he said.

The New York Times

But library officials said they were determined to press on.

The New York Times - Arts

This time, they were determined to have a different outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

They were determined to achieve stability and security.

The New York Times

This time, they were determined to go further, to fulfill the preseason predictions of greatness.

The New York Times - Sports

They were determined to find the best school district for what they could afford.

The New York Times

But they were determined to beat those odds, with both research and financing.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were determined" to clearly convey a group's strong resolve and commitment to achieving a specific goal or overcoming an obstacle. It's effective when highlighting their proactive and unwavering attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "they were determined" when describing actions that are rash or lack careful consideration. Determination implies a thoughtful and persistent approach, not a sudden, impulsive decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were determined" functions as a statement of resolve or intention. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, emphasizing the unwavering commitment of a group towards a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were determined" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a group's strong resolve and commitment. As highlighted by Ludwig's AI, it is effective in conveying purpose and dedication across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase also appears in scientific and formal business settings. While alternatives like "they had resolved" or "they were intent on" can add nuance, it's crucial to ensure the phrase aligns with thoughtful action rather than impulsiveness. Using "they were determined" effectively communicates proactive and unwavering attitudes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were resolved to

This alternative directly replaces "determined" with "resolved", maintaining a similar level of formality.

they had resolved

This alternative suggests a firm decision had already been made, emphasizing the decisiveness of their action.

they were intent on

This option emphasizes a focused intention and direction toward a specific goal or outcome.

they were set on

This phrase highlights the unwavering nature of their goal or plan, suggesting a fixed course of action.

they were dead set on

Similar to "set on", this phrase reinforces the idea of a fixed and unchangeable intention.

they were committed to

This emphasizes dedication and responsibility towards achieving something.

they were adamant about

This option highlights their unyielding and firm stance on a particular matter.

they were driven to

This option suggests an internal force or motivation propelling them toward their objective.

they were hell-bent on

This alternative amplifies the intensity of their determination, suggesting a forceful and relentless pursuit.

they were single-minded in their pursuit of

This alternative emphasizes focus, dedication and unwavering intention in achieving a determined target.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were determined" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "they had resolved" or "they were intent on", which convey a similar sense of firm intention with increased sophistication.

What's a more casual way to say "they were determined"?

In informal contexts, phrases like "they were set on" or "they were dead set on" can effectively replace "they were determined" while maintaining a relaxed tone.

Is there a difference between "they were determined to" and "they were determined that"?

"They were determined to" is typically followed by a verb, indicating an action they intended to take. "They were determined that" introduces a clause expressing a firm decision or belief about a particular outcome. The former focuses on action, while the latter emphasizes conviction.

When is it inappropriate to use "they were determined"?

Avoid using "they were determined" when describing actions that are impulsive or lack thoughtful planning. It is more suitable for situations where a deliberate and persistent effort is evident. For describing impulsive behaviors, other phrases might be more apt.