to determine the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to determine the" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you can use it in a sentence such as: "This research project is intended to determine the effects of climate change on ocean wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But how to determine the name?

The New York Times - Science

They are yet to determine the gender.

Independent

I will have to determine the answer".

The Guardian

Start by rolling a die to determine the crime, then another die to determine the perp.

The New Yorker

Researchers were able to determine the skull's age.

The Guardian

An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death.

The New York Times

Why isn't it easy to determine the origins of "hobbit"?

The Guardian - Books

Doctors operated but were unable to determine the cause.

The New York Times - Magazine

Daniels, meanwhile, sought to determine the bugs' infection rates.

The New Yorker

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

The New York Times

The brain uses this information to determine the color.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "to ascertain the" or "to establish the" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "to determine the" in very simple contexts where a more direct verb like "find" or "see" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to determine the" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces the purpose or objective of an action. It typically precedes a noun or noun phrase, indicating what needs to be found out or decided. Ludwig AI shows it's used to set a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to determine the" serves as a purpose connector, commonly used to introduce an objective of discovering, establishing, or ascertaining specific information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, remember to avoid overuse in simpler contexts where more direct verbs suffice. Consider more formal alternatives like "to ascertain the" in sophisticated writing. This ensures clarity and precision in conveying the intent of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ascertain the

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes establishing something definitively.

to establish the

This focuses on firmly setting or creating something, like facts or rules.

to identify the

This emphasizes recognizing or pinpointing a specific item or piece of information.

to assess the

This focuses on evaluating or judging the value or quality of something.

to gauge the

This suggests measuring or estimating something, often when precise measurement is difficult.

to evaluate the

This emphasizes careful appraisal and judgement of something's worth.

to figure out the

This is more informal and implies solving a problem or mystery.

to resolve the

This focuses on finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

to find out the

This is a more direct and simple way of saying "to discover".

to settle the

This implies making a final decision or agreement about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to determine the" to introduce the purpose of an action or investigation. For example, "An autopsy is scheduled "to determine the cause of death"".

What are some alternatives to using "to determine the"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to ascertain the", "to establish the", or "to identify the".

Is there a difference between "to determine the" and "to find the"?

"To determine the" is generally more formal and implies a careful investigation or calculation, while "to find the" is more general and can refer to simply locating something.

When is it appropriate to use "to determine the" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to determine the" in situations where you want to convey a sense of purposeful investigation or when establishing something with certainty is important. It fits well in scientific reports, formal analyses, and investigative journalism.