determine
gb/dɪtˈɚmən/ us/dɪtˈɚmən/
B1
English
~ 900
eldönt, határoz, megállapít, kiderít, meghatároz
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to determine [that + clause]
The committee will determine the winner of the competition.
A bizottság fogja eldönteni, ki lesz a verseny győztese.
The court determined that the contract was invalid.
A bíróság megállapította, hogy a szerződés érvénytelen.
We need to determine whether the project is worth continuing.
Learner examples
The teacher will determine your grade.
A tanár dönti el, milyen jegyet kapsz.
They will determine if we can go on the trip.
Ők fogják eldönteni, hogy elmehetünk-e a kirándulásra.
We must determine who took the bag.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'determine' with 'find out'. While similar, 'find out' is more informal and about learning information, not necessarily making a decision.
Meaning
Decide after considering facts
Collocations
determine the outcome
|determine the cause
|determine whether
|determine the result
Synonyms
decide (More general and common in everyday speech; 'determine' often sounds more formal or official.)
Antonyms
hesitate (Implies delaying or being unsure, opposite of making a clear decision.)
Themes
decision-making
|law
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a decision after thinking carefully about the facts.
To decide something officially or with authority after thinking about it or examining the facts.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to determine [something]
Scientists are trying to determine the cause of the disease.
A tudósok próbálják megállapítani a betegség okát.
The police are working to determine how the accident happened.
A rendőrség azon dolgozik, hogy kiderítse, hogyan történt a baleset.
We determined her age from official records.
Learner examples
The doctor will determine what is wrong.
Az orvos meg fogja állapítani, mi a baj.
I cannot determine where the sound comes from.
Nem tudom megállapítani, honnan jön a hang.
We can determine how much it will cost.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'decide'. Here it means to find out information, not to choose between options.
Meaning
Find out by investigation
Collocations
determine the cause
|determine the value
|determine the location
|determine the amount
Synonyms
ascertain ('Ascertain' is more formal and less common in everyday conversation.)
Antonyms
guess (Implies making an answer without investigation or evidence.)
Themes
science
|research
|investigation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To learn or know something by studying, checking, or calculating.
To discover or establish something, especially facts or truth, by researching, examining, or calculating.
VERB
B2
3
meghatároz
B1
eldönt
A2
Usage pattern:
to determine [the outcome/result]
Your effort will determine your success.
Az erőfeszítésed határozza majd meg a sikeredet.
Weather conditions will determine whether we can fly.
Az időjárási körülmények fogják meghatározni, hogy repülhetünk-e.
The voters will determine who becomes the next mayor.
Learner examples
Your score will determine if you pass.
A pontszámod határozza meg, hogy átmész-e.
The test results will determine my job chances.
A teszteredmények fogják meghatározni az állásesélyeimet.
Money can determine where people live.
Meaning
Control or influence outcome
Collocations
determine success
|determine fate
|determine outcome
Synonyms
dictate ('Dictate' can imply forceful or complete control, while 'determine' may allow for other influences.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not to have any effect on the result.)
Themes
cause-effect
|events
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To have strong control over what will happen.
To be the main factor in causing a particular result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
determine
IPA
GB/dɪtˈɚmən/
US/dɪtˈɚmən/
Syllables & stress
de - term - ine (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (term)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: determine
- 3rd Person Singular: determines
- Present Participle: determining
- Past: determined
Word family
Forms
determines
verb
determining
verb
determined
verb
Core family
determination
noun B1
Related words
determinedly
adverb
determiner
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
undetermined
adjective
Advanced or less common
deterministic
adjective C1
determinism
noun C1
Expressions
determine the cause
1/dɪtˈɚmən ðə kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
Find out why something happened
To learn what made something happen.
Examples
- The engineer worked hard to determine the cause of the machine failure.
- Doctors are still trying to determine the cause of his illness.
determine whether
1/dɪtˈɚmən wˈɛðɚ/
fixed phrase
Decide if something is true/happens
To decide if something is correct or if it will happen.
Examples
- The manager will determine whether we continue with the plan.
- We must determine whether this information is reliable.
determine the outcome
1/dɪtˈɚmən ðə ˈaʊtkˌʌm/
fixed phrase
Decide final result of event/process
To have a strong influence on how something ends.
Examples
- The quality of your work will determine the outcome of the project.
- Their strategy could determine the outcome of the election.
determine the outcome
2/dɪtˈɚmən ðə ˈaʊtkˌʌm/
fixed phrase
decide the final result
To make something end in a certain way.
Examples
- One goal could determine the outcome of the match.
- Your actions will determine the outcome of this project.