to be determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be determining" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used in this form; instead, it may be better to use "to determine" or "to be determined" depending on the context. Example: "The factors to be determining the outcome of the experiment were carefully analyzed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Are the students necessarily the right people to be determining policy?

The Guardian

Ministers are meant to be determining policies, strategy, and spending priorities, not administration and management.

The Guardian

Professors resented that one person seemed to be determining the university's pedagogical vision.

The New Yorker

"And surely government ought to be determining what ought to be preserved, not a real estate developer".

The New York Times

They still seem to be determining the best route to go with the power forward position.

The New York Times

In this work, the reactor design and the flow distribution were shown to be determining parameters.

Chemical Engineering Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 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

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE To be determined.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to determine" or "to be determined" depending on whether you mean to actively find something out, or to indicate something will be decided in the future. The present continuous form "to be determining" is rarely appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using the continuous form of the infinitive ("to be determining") when a simple infinitive ("to determine") or passive infinitive ("to be determined") is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The factors to be determining the outcome...", say "The factors to determine the outcome..." or "The factors to be determined for the outcome..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be determining" appears as part of an infinitive phrase, but it is grammatically questionable. Ludwig shows that while it appears in various sources, it's often misused. It seems to function as a continuous infinitive, which is rare and often unnecessary.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be determining" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights the availability of clearer and more accurate alternatives, such as "to determine" or "to be determined", depending on the intended meaning. Its presence across different sources suggests a potential for misuse, emphasizing the importance of careful phrasing and adherence to standard grammar rules. While it is a common form, its use should be approached with caution to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. To improve your writing, it is more efficient to use one of the other forms mentioned above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine

This is the infinitive form of the verb, indicating a direct action of finding something out definitively.

to be a deciding factor

Focuses on the specific aspect of being the element that settles an outcome.

to have a determining effect

Rephrases the concept to focus on the impact that something has.

to have a hand in determining

Indicates involvement or influence in the process of determining something.

to be decisive

Shifts the focus to the quality of being crucial or impactful in a decision.

to be settling

Focuses on the act of resolving or making final decisions.

to be resolving

Highlights the aspect of bringing clarity or resolution to a situation.

to be instrumental

Highlights being a crucial means in achieving something.

to be influential

Emphasizes the aspect of having an effect on an outcome, rather than the act of determining.

to play a key role

Highlights the importance of something in influencing the final result.

FAQs

How can I use "to determine" correctly in a sentence?

Use "to determine" when you want to express the action of finding something out or making a decision. For example, "The goal is "to determine" the best course of action."

When should I use "to be determined"?

Use "to be determined" when something will be decided or found out at a later time. For example, "The date of the meeting is "to be determined"."

What are some alternatives to "to be determining" that are grammatically correct?

Depending on the context, you could use "to determine", "to be determined", "to decide", or "to establish".

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

"To determine" is an active infinitive indicating the act of finding something out. "To be determined" is a passive infinitive indicating that something will be decided in the future.