determine
B2Formal to neutral. Common in academic, legal, business, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to officially decide or settle something; to be the deciding factor that causes something to happen in a particular way.
To control or influence something directly; to calculate something officially; to firmly decide something after consideration; to formally establish the exact nature or scope of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a conclusive, formal, or authoritative decision. Carries a sense of finality and precision. Can denote both an internal mental decision and an external, objective influencing factor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal lexical difference. Slightly more common in UK legal/formal writing ('as determined by the court'). US usage may favor 'figure out' or 'decide' in less formal contexts where UK might still use 'determine'.
Connotations
Equally formal in both dialects. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British academic and official documents.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
determine + wh-clause (e.g., determine whether/how)determine + that-clausedetermine + noun phrasebe determined by + noun phrasedetermine + to-infinitive (less common, formal decision)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a determining factor”
- “to be determined (resolved)”
- “circumstances determine”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market research will determine the product's launch strategy. The board must determine the annual budget.
Academic
The experiment aimed to determine the catalyst's effect. Genetic factors largely determine an organism's traits.
Everyday
We need to determine what time the train arrives. The weather will determine if we have the picnic.
Technical
The algorithm determines the optimal route. Engineers must determine the load-bearing capacity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The inquiry will determine the cause of the accident.
- Your final grade is determined by both coursework and exam.
- He determined to pursue the matter further.
American English
- The Supreme Court case will determine the law's future.
- Sales figures determine our bonus structure.
- She determined that it was time for a career change.
adverb
British English
- She worked determinedly through the night.
- He nodded determinedly.
American English
- He spoke determinedly about his plans.
- They marched determinedly toward their goal.
adjective
British English
- She was absolutely determined to finish the marathon.
- He spoke with a determined voice.
American English
- He has a very determined attitude.
- They made a determined effort to succeed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The colour of your eyes is determined by your genes.
- Can you determine which key opens the door?
- The jury will determine if the man is guilty or not.
- We need to determine the best way to get to the airport.
- The committee is meeting to determine the policy on remote work.
- The final price will be determined by market demand.
- The researcher sought to determine the correlation between the variables.
- Historical precedent often determines the interpretation of legal statutes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DETERMINED judge making a FINAL decision. The word has 'MINE' in it – you 'mine' for the definitive answer.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUDGMENT IS CALCULATION (we determine facts), CAUSE IS AUTHORITY (A determines B).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not "determinate" (that's a different word). Avoid confusing with "destine" (предназначать). The Russian "определять" is a good match, but English "determine" is more formal/conclusive than just "define".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'determine' for simple, informal choices (use 'decide'). Incorrect: *"I determined to have pizza." Correct: "I decided to have pizza." Confusing 'determine' (verb) with 'determined' (adjective meaning resolute).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'determine' used LEAST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Decide' is broader and more common for personal choices. 'Determine' implies a more formal, conclusive, or investigative process leading to a firm conclusion, often based on evidence or authority.
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'The outcome was determined by a single vote.' The structure 'be determined by' is frequent to show what factor controls something.
Yes, but it's formal and emphasizes a firm, resolute decision. In everyday speech, 'decide to do something' is more natural. E.g., Formal: 'She determined to prove them wrong.' Everyday: 'She decided to prove them wrong.'
It describes a person who has a firm decision in mind and is resolved to achieve something. It comes from the past participle of 'determine' but functions as a separate adjective (e.g., a determined athlete).