Determinate vs. Determine — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Determinate refers to something defined with exact limits; Determine involves making decisions or resolving uncertainties.
Difference Between Determinate and Determine
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Key Differences
Determinate is an adjective used to describe something that has definite limits or boundaries. For instance, a determinate prison sentence has a fixed length. On the other hand, determine is a verb that involves making a decision or conclusively resolving a question, such as determining the outcome of an experiment.
When discussing the nature of decisions, determinate implies that the parameters or outcomes are already set and cannot be altered. In contrast, determine involves the process of arriving at a decision, often involving analysis and deliberation.
In terms of usage, determinate is often used in more formal or scientific contexts, like biology, where it describes organisms with a fixed growth pattern. Determine, however, is used in a wide array of contexts, from everyday decision-making to scientific research.
Determinate can also indicate the final or ultimate nature of something, suggesting no further change is possible. Whereas, determine suggests an ongoing process of evaluation or investigation that precedes a decision.
The outcome described by determinate is static and predefined, emphasizing the conclusion. Conversely, determine emphasizes the dynamic process leading to a decision or conclusion.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Verb
Definition
Having fixed limits; definite
To decide or conclude
Usage Context
Formal, scientific
Broad, including everyday use
Outcome Nature
Static, unchangeable
Dynamic, subject to change
Example Context
"a determinate growth pattern"
"determine the best course"
Compare with Definitions
Determinate
Having distinct limits.
The project had a determinate timeline.
Determine
To make a decision.
She will determine our next steps.
Determinate
Final, ultimate.
His decision was determinate.
Determine
To bring about a result.
Skills determine success.
Determinate
Conclusively established.
The rules were determinate and clear.
Determine
To influence or control.
Weather can determine travel plans.
Determinate
Fixed in scope.
He had a determinate number of tasks.
Determine
To resolve or settle.
The court will determine the case.
Determinate
Definite, non-variable.
The species has a determinate lifespan.
Determine
To establish or conclude facts.
Experiments aim to determine the truth.
Determinate
(biology) Of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed.
Determine
Determine (April 7, 1951 – September 27, 1972), was an American Thoroughbred race horse. In a racing career which lasted from 1953 through 1955, the California-trained colt ran forty-four times and won eighteen races.
Determinate
Precisely limited or defined; definite
A determinate number.
A determinate distance.
Determine
Cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature
It will be her mental attitude that determines her future
Determinate
Conclusively settled; final.
Determine
Ascertain or establish exactly by research or calculation
The point of our study was to determine what is true, not what is practicable
The inquest is entrusted with the task of determining the cause of death
Determinate
Firm in purpose; resolute.
Determine
Firmly decide
My wife had determined that I must swap my old bike for a car
She determined to tackle Stephen the next day
He determined on a withdrawal of his forces
Determinate
Terminating in a flower and blooming in a sequence beginning with the uppermost or central flower
A determinate inflorescence.
Determine
Bring or come to an end.
Determinate
Not continuing indefinitely at the tip of an axis
Determinate growth.
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Determinate
Distinct, clearly defined.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
Determinate
Fixed, set, unvarying.
Determine
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
Determinate
Conclusive; decisive; positive.
Determine
To cause (someone) to come to a decision or resolution
"It was the discovery ... of this very project of hers, which determined him to come forward at once, own it all to his uncle" (Jane Austen).
Determinate
(obsolete) Determined or resolved upon.
Determine
To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
Determinate
Of determined purpose; resolute.
Determine
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
Determinate
(philosophy) A single state of a particular determinable attribute.
Determine
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
Determinate
(obsolete) To bring to an end; to determine.
Determine
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Determinate
Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed; established; definite.
Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Determinate
Conclusive; decisive; positive.
The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Determinate
Determined or resolved upon.
My determinate voyage.
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Determinate
Of determined purpose; resolute.
More determinate to do than skillful how to do.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Determinate
To bring to an end; to determine. See Determine.
The sly, slow hours shall not determinateThe dateless limit of thy dear exile.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
Determinate
Precisely determined or limited or defined; especially fixed by rule or by a specific and constant cause;
A determinate distance
A determinate number
Determinate variations in animals
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.
Determinate
Not continuing to grow indefinitely at the apex;
Determinate growth
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.
The court has determined the cause.
Determinate
Supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement;
A definitive verdict
A determinate answer to the problem
Determine
To resolve (to do something); to establish a fixed intention; to cause (something) to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.
I determined to go home at once.
Determine
(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determine
To bring to an end; to finish.
Determine
To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
Determine
To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
Now, where is he that will not stay so longTill his friend sickness hath determined me?
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; - with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name.
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.
Determine
To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately.
Determine
To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determine
To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
Determine
To come to an end; to end; to terminate.
He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together.
Estates may determine on future contingencies.
Determine
To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; - often with on.
He shall pay as the judges determine.
Determine
After a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study;
Find the product of two numbers
The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize
Determine
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Determine
Fix conclusively or authoritatively;
Set the rules
Determine
Decide upon or fix definitely;
Fix the variables
Specify the parameters
Determine
Reach, make, or come to a decision about something;
We finally decided after lengthy deliberations
Determine
Fix in scope; fix the boundaries of; the tree determines the border of the property
Determine
Settle conclusively; come to terms;
We finally settled the argument
Determine
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Common Curiosities
What does determine mean?
Determine means to make a decision or to establish something conclusively.
Can determinate be used as a verb?
No, determinate is only used as an adjective.
What does determinate mean?
Determinate refers to something that has clearly defined limits or a precise nature.
What are examples of decisions that can be determined?
Decisions like choosing a career path or resolving a scientific hypothesis can be determined.
Is determine always about making decisions?
Primarily, yes, though it can also mean to influence or to ascertain facts.
What factors can determine an outcome?
Factors like data, personal judgment, and external conditions can determine outcomes.
How does the use of determinate differ from determine in scientific contexts?
In science, determinate often describes predetermined characteristics, while determine relates to finding out or establishing these characteristics.
Does determine imply a process?
Yes, determine often involves a process of decision-making or investigation.
Is determine related to determination?
Yes, determine is the act of making a decision, closely related to the noun determination, which is the quality of being resolute.
Can the outcome of an experiment be determinate?
Yes, if the outcome strictly adheres to predefined conditions, it is determinate.
Can determinate describe a quantity?
Yes, when a quantity is fixed and has precise limits, it is described as determinate.
What does it mean when something is said to be determinate in law?
It means it has specific, unalterable terms defined by legal standards.
Does determinate relate to finite or infinite?
Determinate relates to finite, as it implies limits and a definite end.
How do determinate and determine differ in everyday speech?
Determinate rarely appears in casual conversation, focusing more on specific, limited contexts; determine is commonly used regarding decisions and conclusions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
