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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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took determination

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took determination" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "She took determination to finish the marathon despite the challenges she faced."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I will not shirk that," and retorted that it took determination to complete a project of this size.

News & Media

The Guardian

Staying together after Oberlin took determination, not least because Mr. Duvall, the first to graduate, was planning to work on a master's degree at Yale.

Going to see an exhibition took determination and patience, as the streets, quite literally, had no names.

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unblocking it will take determination.

News & Media

The Economist

It takes determination.

News & Media

The Guardian

It takes determination to go through with it.

News & Media

The Guardian

Turning a dream into reality takes determination and tests your endurance.

It will take determination if Hull is ever to get back to its cycling golden age.

News & Media

The Guardian

The reality is it takes determination to drive a reform through.

News & Media

The Guardian

It takes determination to stick to a style that is less popular.

Critics are silenced or ignored, but it takes determination to push the behemoth that is a national broadcaster to an integrity-based decision.

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "took determination", opt for phrases like "showed determination", "demonstrated determination", or "required determination" for clearer and more conventional English. For example, instead of "The project took determination", say "The project required determination".

Common error

Avoid using "took determination" in formal writing. While understandable, it is not a standard or elegant way to express the idea that something required or demonstrated determination. Stick to more common and grammatically sound alternatives.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took determination" functions as a verbal phrase where "took" acts as a verb attempting to describe the action of needing or utilizing determination. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction is not standard English. It is more common to use verbs like "showed", "required", or "demonstrated" with "determination".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "took determination" is occasionally used, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's better to opt for alternatives like "showed determination", "required determination", or "demonstrated determination" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Its appearance across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business suggests a neutral tone, but its grammatical weakness makes it less suitable for formal writing. Remember to select phrasing that is both accurate and conventionally accepted to enhance the effectiveness of your communication.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "took determination"?

You can use alternatives like "showed determination", "required determination", or "demonstrated determination" depending on the context.

Is "took determination" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "took determination" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "showed determination" or "required determination".

How can I use "determination" in a sentence correctly?

Use "determination" with verbs like "show", "demonstrate", "require", or "need". For example, "She showed determination in completing the project" or "The task required determination".

What's the difference between "took determination" and "showed determination"?

"Took determination" is less common and grammatically awkward. "Showed determination" is the better construction. "Showed determination" means to actively display resolve. For instance, someone who showed determination overcame obstacles.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: