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Meaning & use

determine

verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/dɪˈtɜː.mɪn/
US/dɪˈtɝː.mɪn/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    To find out or establish something exactly by checking, measuring, or reasoning.

    Grammar: Takes an object: determine the cause.

    Patterns

    • determine the cause
    • determine whether
    • determine the amount

    Tests will determine whether the water is safe.

    We need to determine the exact cost before we agree.

  2. verbtransitive or intransitiveformal

    To decide firmly to do something or to settle something with firm intention.

    Grammar: Can take an object or be followed by a to-infinitive: determine to continue.

    Patterns

    • determine to do something
    • determine that
    • be determined to

    After the failure, she determined to try again.

    He determined that the report should be finished by Friday.

  3. verbtransitive

    To control or strongly influence the result or nature of something.

    Grammar: Takes an object and means strongly affect, not merely discover.

    Patterns

    • determine the outcome
    • determine a price
    • genes determine

    Practice often determines the final result.

    Supply and demand help determine the price of rice.

Word forms

third person singulardetermines
past tensedetermined
past participledetermined
-ing formdetermining

Common combinations

determine the cause
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
determine the outcome
One late goal can determine the outcome of a match.
determine whether
The questionnaire will determine whether applicants qualify.
be determined to
He was determined to finish the race even after falling.

Synonyms and how they differ

establish
Establish means prove or set firmly; determine adds the idea of finding out exactly.
decide
Decide is everyday choice; determine is firmer and often more formal.
ascertain
Ascertain is formal for find out with certainty; determine is more common in general English.

Word family

determination noun
Firm decision and continued effort toward a goal.
determined adjective
Firm and not easily discouraged.
determinant noun
A factor that strongly controls an outcome.

Commonly confused: determine or decide?

determine vs decide

Determine can mean find out after investigation, while decide means choose between options.

Practice

“Scientists want to determine ___ the virus survived on the surface.”

Make it your own

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