Determination vs. Grit — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
Determination refers to a firm purposefulness in achieving goals, whereas grit involves perseverance and passion for long-term objectives.
Difference Between Determination and Grit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Determination is about making a firm decision and committing to achieving a goal, focusing on the resolve needed in the face of challenges, while grit encompasses not only a strong will but also sustained passion over time.
Determination can be seen as a necessary component for short-term challenges, driving an individual to push through obstacles, whereas grit is often applied to more prolonged endeavors, requiring consistency and resilience.
Determination may wax and wane based on immediate circumstances and motivation, on the other hand, grit represents a deep-seated tenacity that persists regardless of fluctuating conditions.
People with determination might excel in situations that require intense, focused effort over a shorter period, while those with grit are better equipped for challenges that demand enduring commitment, such as long-term projects or careers.
In essence, determination helps one to start and continue tasks despite difficulties, whereas grit allows one to finish what they started, overcoming prolonged periods of adversity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Firmness in purpose; resolve to meet a goal.
Sustained passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
Time Frame
Short-term or single-event focus.
Long-term, enduring commitment.
Emotional Contribution
Often driven by a strong emotional resolve.
Involves consistent passion and motivation.
Typical Scenarios
Decisive actions, overcoming immediate obstacles.
Long-term projects, ongoing challenges.
Outcome Focus
Achieving specific goals or overcoming a challenge.
Achieving overarching long-term objectives.
Compare with Definitions
Determination
Firmness of purpose in achieving goals.
Her determination was evident as she practiced daily to win the race.
Grit
Focus on long-term resilience.
Grit is what makes an athlete train for years for a single event.
Determination
Resolute adherence to one's goals.
His determination saw him through medical school.
Grit
Associated with sustained challenges.
His grit was key in overcoming numerous obstacles to build his business.
Determination
Emotional drive to overcome challenges.
Determination kept her going despite the rejection letters.
Grit
Perseverance and passion for long-term goals.
Her grit was apparent in her twenty-year career in education.
Determination
Commitment to achieving specific objectives.
With determination, she completed the project under budget.
Grit
Trait of sustaining effort and interest over years.
Grit drove her to continue refining her skills despite slow progress.
Determination
Characterized by decisiveness in difficult situations.
Determination helped him confront the crisis head-on.
Grit
Endurance to keep going despite setbacks.
His grit kept him working on the invention, which eventually succeeded.
Determination
Determination is a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. Determination occurs prior to goal attainment and serves to motivate behavior that will help achieve one's goal.
Grit
Small loose particles of stone or sand
She had a bit of grit in her eye
Determination
The quality of being determined; firmness of purpose
Those who succeed because of sheer grit and determination
Grit
Courage and resolve; strength of character
I've known few men who could match Maude's grit
Determination
The process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research
Determination of molecular structures
Grit
Spread grit and often salt on (an icy road)
The main roads in Plymouth will be gritted from 6.30 p.m. tonight
A council gritting lorry
Determination
The cessation of an estate or interest.
Grit
Grate
Fine red dust that gritted between the teeth
Determination
A tendency to move in a fixed direction.
Grit
Minute rough granules, as of sand or stone.
Determination
Firmness of purpose; resolve
Approached the task with determination.
Grit
The texture or fineness of sand or stone used in grinding.
Determination
A fixed intention or resolution
Returned to school with a determination to finish.
Grit
A coarse hard sandstone used for making grindstones and millstones.
Determination
The ascertaining or fixing of the quantity, quality, position, or character of something
A determination of the ship's longitude.
A determination of the universe's mass.
Grit
(Informal) Indomitable spirit; pluck.
Determination
The result of such ascertaining.
Grit
To clamp (the teeth) together.
Determination
The act of making or arriving at a decision
After long determination, she decided to move to Utah.
Grit
To cover or treat with grit.
Determination
The decision reached
It is my determination to sell the house.
Grit
To make a grinding noise.
Determination
The settling of a question or case by an authoritative decision or pronouncement, especially by a judicial body
The choice of a foster home was left to the determination of the court.
Grit
A collection of hard small materials, such as dirt, ground stone, debris from sandblasting or other such grinding, or swarf from metalworking.
The flower beds were white with grit from sand blasting the flagstone walkways.
Determination
The decision or pronouncement made.
Grit
Sand or a sand–salt mixture spread on wet and, especially, icy roads and footpaths to improve traction.
Determination
The bringing about of a result or outcome
The determination of hair color by the genes.
Grit
Inedible particles in food.
These cookies seem to have grit from nutshells in them.
Determination
(Archaic) A fixed movement or tendency toward an object or end.
Grit
A measure of the relative coarseness of an abrasive material such as sandpaper, the smaller the number the coarser the abrasive.
I need a sheet of 100 grit sandpaper.
Determination
The defining of a concept through its constituent elements.
Grit
(geology) A hard, coarse-grained siliceous sandstone; gritstone. Also, a finer sharp-grained sandstone, e.g., grindstone grit.
Determination
The qualification of a concept or proposition to render it more definite or specific.
Grit
Strength of mind; great courage or fearlessness; fortitude.
That kid with the cast on his arm has the grit to play dodgeball.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Through sheer determination, we managed to escape from the tornado.
Grit
Husked but unground oats.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Grit
Coarsely ground corn or hominy used as porridge.
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
Grit
Apparently only in grit one's teeth: to clench, particularly in reaction to pain or anger.
We had no choice but to grit our teeth and get on with it.
He has a sleeping disorder and grits his teeth.
Determination
(countable) The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Grit
To cover with grit.
Determination
(countable) That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
Grit
To give forth a grating sound, like sand under the feet; to grate; to grind.
Determination
A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part
A determination of blood to the head
Grit
Sand or gravel; rough, hard particles.
Determination
(countable) The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.
The determination of the wavelength of light
The determination of the level of salt in sea water
The determination of the oxygen in the air
Grit
The coarse part of meal.
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Grit
Grain, esp. oats or wheat, hulled and coarsely ground; in high milling, fragments of cracked wheat smaller than groats.
Determination
The addition of a distinguishing feature to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent.
Grit
A hard, coarse-grained siliceous sandstone; as, millstone grit; - called also gritrock and gritstone. The name is also applied to a finer sharp-grained sandstone; as, grindstone grit.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, such as genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification
I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Grit
Structure, as adapted to grind or sharpen; as, a hone of good grit.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
Grit
Firmness of mind; invincible spirit; unyielding courage; fortitude.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Grit
To give forth a grating sound, as sand under the feet; to grate; to grind.
The sanded floor that grits beneath the tread.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
A speedy determination of that war.
Grit
To grind; to rub harshly together; to grate; as, to grit the teeth.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good.
Grit
A hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
He only is a well-made man who has a good determination.
Grit
Fortitude and determination;
He didn't have the guts to try it
Determination
The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Grit
Cover with a grit;
Grit roads
Determination
That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain convictions.
Grit
Clench together;
Grit one's teeth
Determination
A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as, a determination of blood to the head.
Determination
The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.; as, the determination of the ohm or of the wave length of light; the determination of the salt in sea water, or the oxygen in the air.
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Determination
The act of determining the properties of something
Determination
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Determination
A position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration;
A decision unfavorable to the opposition
His conclusion took the evidence into account
Satisfied with the panel's determination
Determination
The act of making up your mind about something;
The burden of decision was his
He drew his conclusions quickly
Common Curiosities
Is grit more important than determination?
The importance of grit versus determination often depends on the context; long-term goals require grit, while short-term challenges may need just determination.
What is the main difference between determination and grit?
Determination is the firm resolve to achieve a goal, often short-term, while grit refers to sustained perseverance and passion, especially over long periods.
Can someone have determination but lack grit?
Yes, it's possible to be determined in specific situations but lack the long-term perseverance and passion characteristic of grit.
How can teachers encourage grit in students?
Teachers can encourage grit by setting long-term goals, teaching resilience, and celebrating perseverance as much as success.
How can grit be developed?
Grit can be developed through repeated experiences of overcoming challenges, maintaining passion, and learning from failures.
How does determination affect performance?
Determination can significantly enhance performance by driving individuals to complete tasks and overcome obstacles with a strong will.
What role does passion play in grit?
Passion is a core component of grit, as it fuels sustained effort and interest over long periods, despite difficulties.
What are some examples of activities that require grit?
Examples include pursuing a PhD, training for an Olympic sport, or building a business over many years.
Are determination and grit considered personality traits?
Both are considered aspects of personality, with determination relating to resolve and grit encompassing perseverance and passion.
Does determination lead to success?
Determination often leads to success by enabling individuals to maintain focus and effort in achieving specific goals.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-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.
