determining

/dɪˈtɜː.mɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪtˈɚmənɪŋ] /dɪˈtɝː.mɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪtˈɚmənɪŋ] /di-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce determine (audio) dē-/ (ame, mw)

determining — verb

  • determiningpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • determinings3rd person singular
  • determininging-ing form
  • determiningedpast simple

1. the -ing form of 'determine' used when someone or something is settling the resu

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

the -ing form of 'determine' used when someone or something is settling the result, deciding an issue, or strongly shaping what happens next

例句

Weather and road repairs are determining how long the bus takes today.

determining how + clause for a factor shaping the result

The judge spent two days determining which parent should keep the house.

determining which + clause for an official decision

同義詞
  • deciding

    close in meaning, but less focused on outside forces shaping the result

  • shaping

    stresses influence on the final result more than a formal decision

  • settling

    often implies bringing a question or dispute to an end

文法句型

determining + noun

determining + how/what/whether + clause

用法筆記

The subject is often a cause, a set of facts, a vote, or an authority figure. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense settles the outcome or issue, while sense 3 focuses on finding the facts first.

常見錯誤

❌The committee is determining if to close the library.
✅The committee is determining whether to close the library.
💡use 'whether' before a full decision clause.
❌Rain is determining for the final score.
✅Rain is determining the final score.
💡this sense usually takes a direct object, not 'for'.

2. the -ing form of 'determine' used in formal English when someone is firmly choos

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

the -ing form of 'determine' used in formal English when someone is firmly choosing a course of action and fixing their mind on doing it

例句

Determining to finish medical school, Yael took a second night job.

determining to + verb for a firm intention

After determining to appeal, Diego gathered every email and receipt.

after determining to + verb

同義詞
  • deciding to

    more neutral and much more common in everyday English

  • resolving to

    equally formal, with extra emphasis on inner resolve

  • choosing to

    stresses preference between alternatives more than firmness

文法句型

determining to + verb

用法筆記

This sense is noticeably more formal than everyday 'deciding to'. It nearly always takes a to-infinitive and often appears in non-finite clauses rather than in ordinary progressive statements.

常見錯誤

❌Felix was determining about leaving.
✅Felix was determining to leave.
💡this sense takes 'to' + base verb, not 'about' + -ing.
❌Anjali was determining that she should resign.
✅Anjali was determining to resign.
💡use the to-infinitive for a firm personal decision.

3. the -ing form of 'determine' used when someone is working out exact information

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

the -ing form of 'determine' used when someone is working out exact information such as a cause, amount, location, or other factual answer by checking, testing, or calculation

例句

Doctors are determining whether the infection has reached the lungs.

determining whether + clause during investigation

Engineers spent the afternoon determining how deep the crack had grown.

determining how + adjective + clause

同義詞
  • finding out

    more informal and less precise than this investigative sense

  • establishing

    more formal; often used for proving a fact firmly

  • measuring

    narrower, used when the fact being found is a quantity

文法句型

determining + noun

determining + what/how/where/whether + clause

用法筆記

The subject is usually investigators, doctors, laboratories, or another source of evidence. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 is about learning the facts, not setting the outcome.

常見錯誤

❌The lab is determining about the metal level.
✅The lab is determining the metal level.
💡use a direct object, not 'about'.
❌They are determining that how much paint we need.
✅They are determining how much paint we need.
💡do not add 'that' before a wh-clause.