determine

/dɪˈtɜːmɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈtər-mən dē-/ (ame, mw)

determine — verb

  • determinepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • determineshe / she / it
  • determinedpast simple
  • determining-ing form

1. to directly affect the way something happens or develops, so that a particular r

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to directly affect the way something happens or develops, so that a particular result is produced

例句

The quality of the ingredients determines how the final dish will taste.

determine + wh-clause (how)

Your attitude towards challenges often determines whether you succeed or give up.

determine + whether-clause

同義詞
  • dictate

    stronger and more forceful; implies the influencing factor has complete control

  • govern

    more formal; suggests rules or principles that control how something works

  • shape

    implies gradual formation rather than direct control

文法句型

determine + noun phrase

determine + wh-clause (whether/how/what)

用法筆記

Frequently used with inanimate subjects such as 'factor', 'quality', 'amount', 'weather'. Unlike 'decide', which implies a conscious choice by a person, 'determine' in this sense describes a causal relationship where one thing produces or controls an outcome.

常見錯誤

❌The weather will determine to rain tomorrow.
✅The weather will determine whether it rains tomorrow.
💡'determine' in this sense takes a wh-clause or noun phrase, not a to-infinitive.
❌I determined to finish the project by Friday.' (when meaning decided)
✅I decided to finish the project by Friday.
💡The 'determine + to-infinitive' pattern belongs to sense 2 (DECIDE FIRMLY), not this sense.

2. to firmly decide to do something after thinking carefully about it, often in a d

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to firmly decide to do something after thinking carefully about it, often in a determined or resolute way

例句

Luca determined to finish the marathon despite his knee injury at the halfway point.

determine + to-infinitive

Trang determined that she would apply for the scholarship before the end of the month.

determine + that-clause

同義詞
反義詞
  • hesitate

    to pause before deciding, the opposite of firm decision

  • waver

    to be uncertain, showing lack of resolve

文法句型

determine + to-infinitive

determine + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense is more formal and emphatic than 'decide'. It implies strong personal resolve or official determination rather than a simple choice. The 'determine + that-clause' pattern is particularly common in formal or institutional contexts. Frequently confused with the similar-sounding but distinct sense 1 (CONTROL OR INFLUENCE).

常見錯誤

❌She determined going to the party.
✅She determined to go to the party.
💡After 'determine' in this sense, use a to-infinitive, not a gerund.
❌He determined the result of the game.' (when meaning he influenced it)
✅He determined to win the game.
💡The first sentence with an object noun phrase suggests sense 1 (CONTROL), not sense 2.

3. to discover definite information or establish the truth about something by inves

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to discover definite information or establish the truth about something by investigating, calculating, or examining it carefully

例句

The doctors ran several tests to determine the cause of the patient's unusual symptoms.

determine + noun phrase (the cause of)

Scientists used carbon dating to determine the exact age of the ancient wooden tool.

同義詞
  • ascertain

    more formal and technical; common in academic writing

  • establish

    suggests proving something beyond doubt, often with evidence

  • identify

    focuses on recognizing or naming the specific thing

  • figure out

    informal; emphasizes problem-solving rather than systematic investigation

反義詞
  • overlook

    to fail to notice or discover

  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to something that could be discovered

文法句型

determine + noun phrase

determine + wh-clause (what/why/whether/how)

determine + that-clause

用法筆記

Often used in scientific, medical, legal, and investigative contexts. Unlike 'find out' (informal) or 'discover' (often accidental), 'determine' implies a systematic or methodical process of reaching a conclusion. The object is typically an unknown fact, cause, amount, or identity.

常見錯誤

❌I determined that she was my friend.
✅I determined that the fire had started in the kitchen.
💡'Determine' in this sense is used for factual discovery, not for forming personal opinions or recognizing people.
❌She determined the answer by guessing.
✅She determined the answer by checking the records.
💡This sense implies methodical investigation, not guesswork or intuition.