to be determined

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be determined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are uncertain about an outcome or decision. For example, "The day and time of the meeting has yet to be determined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be determined".

The New York Times - Sports

AWARDS To be determined.

The New York Times

Services to be determined.

The New York Times

All things to be determined.

The New York Times

It's still to be determined".

The New York Times

Memorial Mass to be determined.

The New York Times

That remains to be determined.

The New Yorker

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE To be determined.

The New York Times - Sports

Location to be determined.

The New York Times - Arts

Hours to be determined.

The New York Times - Travel

Memorial to be determined.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be determined" when indicating that a specific detail, plan, or decision has not yet been finalized. This is particularly useful in formal or professional contexts where clarity and accuracy are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "to be determined" in casual conversation where simpler phrases like "we'll figure it out later" or "I don't know yet" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be determined" functions as a placeholder indicating that a decision, value, or piece of information is not yet available. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts requiring future clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be determined" is a versatile placeholder used when specific details are not yet finalized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various formal contexts like news reporting, academic papers, and business communications. While simpler alternatives exist for informal settings, "to be determined" maintains a level of precision and objectivity essential in professional communication. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and academic institutions underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet to be decided

Emphasizes that a decision is pending.

still pending

Highlights the ongoing nature of the decision process.

to be ascertained

Suggests a need for further investigation before a decision can be made.

to be decided upon

Highlights that a decision is needed and has not been reached yet.

not yet known

Focuses on the lack of current information.

remains undecided

Stresses the lack of a final decision.

subject to future determination

More formal, indicating that the decision will be made at a later time.

details to follow

Indicates that further information will be provided later.

under consideration

Suggests that the matter is currently being evaluated.

open question

Emphasizes that the matter is still unresolved and requires an answer.

FAQs

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

Use "to be determined" to indicate that a decision or piece of information is not yet available, for example, "The exact location is "to be determined"."

What are some alternatives to "to be determined"?

Alternatives include "yet to be decided", "still pending", or "not yet known", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "to be determined" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business, academic, or technical contexts where precise language is important. It clearly indicates that a detail is yet to be finalized.

What's the difference between "to be determined" and "undecided"?

"To be determined" suggests that the decision-making process is still ongoing, whereas "undecided" implies a state of uncertainty or lack of resolution at a specific moment. While similar, "to be determined" often implies a future action, while "undecided" is more static.