which determines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which determines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a factor or element that has a decisive influence on something. Example: "The algorithm, which determines the outcome of the game, is highly complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

where Tete is available, which determines everything.

Princeton University

We describe a new algorithm which determines this measure completely.

Journal of Computational Physics

TransGrid will also continue to be regulated by the Australian Energy Regulator, which determines network charges.

The Guardian

It is the amount of effort, arrangement or creative input that is made, which determines copyright.

The Guardian - Tech

Traditional economic thinking assumes that companies interact with something called "the market," which determines the price.

The New York Times

The engine behind all this is the Y chromosome, which determines maleness.

The New York Times - Science

An individual's needs are assessed and they are assigned a care level which determines their entitlement.

The Guardian

In MS, demyelination is associated with progressive axonal damage, which determines the level of patient disability.

Nature

The Supreme Court, which determines its legality, seems firmly in favor of it.

The New York Times

This bond controls the liquid crystals' orientation, which determines their appearance to the human eye.

MIT Technology Review

It is given first consideration, which determines other elements of the broader business plan.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which determines", ensure that the relationship between the antecedent and the result is clear and logical to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "which determines" when the relationship is merely correlational or suggestive, rather than definitively causal. Use alternative phrases like "which influences" or "which contributes to" to indicate a weaker relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which determines" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying what factor has a decisive influence on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples show it connects causes and effects across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which determines" introduces a relative clause to specify a decisive influencing factor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and broadly used. The phrase is most prevalent in scientific and news contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When using "which determines", ensure a clear causal link and consider alternatives like "that establishes" or "that influences" for nuances in meaning. Avoid using it when the connection is only correlational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that establishes

Replaces "determines" with a more formal synonym, "establishes", maintaining a similar causal relationship.

that settles

Very similar to "resolves", indicating the conclusion of a matter.

that decides

Offers a simpler, more direct synonym for "determines", focusing on the act of decision-making.

that influences

Substitutes "determines" with "influences", indicating a less direct or absolute impact.

that dictates

Emphasizes the controlling aspect of "determines", suggesting a more forceful impact.

that controls

Similar to "dictates", highlighting the power or authority in the causal link.

that governs

Implies a rule-based or systematic influence, rather than a one-time event.

that defines

Shifts the focus to setting the boundaries or characteristics of something, rather than directly causing it.

that resolves

Suggests the phrase "which resolves" concludes or settles something rather than influencing it.

that conditions

Emphasizes the dependence of something on specific circumstances or factors.

FAQs

How can I use "which determines" in a sentence?

Use "which determines" to introduce a relative clause that specifies the factor directly influencing an outcome. For example, "The algorithm, "which determines" the placement of ads, is constantly updated."

What are some alternatives to "which determines"?

You can use alternatives like "that establishes", "that influences", or "that dictates" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "which determines"?

While grammatically correct, "which determines" suggests a direct and decisive influence. If the influence is less absolute, consider using phrases such as "which impacts" or "which affects".

What's the difference between "which determines" and "that determines"?

"Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses, providing additional information, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses, essential for defining the noun. "The factor that determines success" is essential, whereas "The factor, "which determines" success, is often overlooked" adds extra detail.