Difference Wiki

Determine vs. Decide: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Determine" means to ascertain or establish something after consideration, while "decide" means to make a choice among options or resolutions.

Key Differences

Determine and decide are both verbs that involve coming to a conclusion, but they differ in their nuances and contexts of usage. To determine is often to figure out or ascertain a particular fact or truth by investigating or calculating. For instance, scientists determine facts through experimentation. Decide, on the other hand, primarily relates to the process of making a choice, especially after considering various options.
The word determine often implies a process or method to reach an outcome. For example, one might determine the cause of a problem using diagnostic tools. It focuses on uncovering facts or truths. In contrast, decide focuses on the resolution of uncertainty by making a choice. If you're choosing between two job offers, you decide which one to accept.
Furthermore, while both words denote resolution, determine usually has an external or objective connotation, such as determining a fact, measurement, or outcome. Decide tends to be more internal and subjective, referring to a mental or emotional resolution, such as deciding on a course of action.
Determine can also imply a sense of inevitability or pre-determination. For instance, genetics can determine certain traits in organisms. Decide, meanwhile, emphasizes the act of free will and agency in making a choice. So while circumstances might determine outcomes, individuals decide on their reactions to them.
In summary, while there's overlap between determine and decide, the former leans more towards establishing facts or truths, often through analysis or observation, and the latter is centered around making choices or judgments.
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Verb
Verb

Definition

Ascertain or establish after investigation
Make a choice among options or resolutions

Implication

Process or method to reach an outcome
Resolution of uncertainty by choosing

Connotation

Often external or objective
Internal, subjective, emphasizing free will

Examples

Determine the cause of a problem
Decide between two options
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Determine and Decide Definitions

Determine

To ascertain or establish exactly, typically as a result of research or calculation.
Scientists determined the age of the fossils.

Decide

To make a choice from a number of alternatives.
She decided on the blue dress.

Determine

To fix the position of.
Using the stars, sailors determined their latitude.

Decide

To make a final choice or judgment.
I've decided to pursue a new career.

Determine

To settle or resolve.
The jury determined his guilt.

Decide

To resolve or settle.
The court decided the case in her favor.

Determine

To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.

Decide

To cause to come to a resolution.
His speech decided the debate.

Determine

To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.

Decide

To reach a conclusion or form a judgment or opinion about (something) by reasoning or consideration
Decide what to do.

Determine

To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.

Decide

To cause to make or reach a decision
"The presence of so many witnesses decided him at once to flee" (Robert Louis Stevenson).

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).

Decide

To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about
Decide a case.
Decided the dispute in favor of the workers.

Determine

To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.

Decide

To influence or determine the outcome of
A few votes decided the election.

Determine

(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.

Decide

To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict.

Determine

(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.

Decide

To reach a decision; make up one's mind.

Determine

(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.

Decide

(ambitransitive) to resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle
The election will be decided on foreign policies.
We must decide our next move.
Her last-minute goal decided the game.

Determine

To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.

Decide

(intransitive) to make a judgment, especially after deliberation
You must decide between good and evil.
I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.

Determine

(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.

Decide

(transitive) to cause someone to come to a decision

Determine

To set the boundaries or limits of.

Decide

(obsolete) to cut off; to separate

Determine

To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.

Decide

To cut off; to separate.
Our seat denies us traffic here;The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

Determine

To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.

Decide

To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.
So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

Determine

To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.

Decide

To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant.
Who shall decide, when doctors disagree?

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.

Decide

Reach, make, or come to a decision about something;
We finally decided after lengthy deliberations

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.

Decide

Bring to an end; settle conclusively;
The case was decided
The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff
The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance

Determine

(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.

Decide

Cause to decide;
This new development finally decided me!

Determine

To bring to an end; to finish.

Decide

Influence or determine;
The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election

Determine

To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.

Decide

To influence crucially.
His hard work decided his success.

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

Determine

To cause (something) to occur in a particular way or have a particular nature.
Genes determine our traits.

Determine

To set limits or define.
Rules determine acceptable behavior.

FAQs

What does "determine" typically mean?

"Determine" means to ascertain or establish something after consideration or investigation.

Does "determine" always imply a methodical process?

Not always, but it often suggests a process or method to reach an outcome.

Is "decide" just about making choices?

Primarily, yes. "Decide" revolves around making a choice or judgment among options.

If I'm picking between two foods, do I decide or determine?

You "decide" which food you want to eat.

Is "decide" a more personal action than "determine"?

Often, yes. "Decide" typically involves personal choice, while "determine" can be more objective.

How does one "decide" on a resolution?

One considers the options and chooses the most suitable resolution.

Can circumstances "determine" outcomes?

Yes, circumstances can determine, or dictate, specific outcomes.

Can "determine" relate to causality?

Yes, for instance, genetics can determine certain traits in organisms.

Can one determine their destiny?

Philosophically, some believe in self-determination, while others think external factors determine destiny.

Can "determine" mean to set boundaries?

Yes, "determine" can mean to set limits or boundaries.

Is it right to say a tool "decided" an outcome?

Not typically. A tool might "determine" an outcome, but "decide" is more about choice.

Does deciding require multiple options?

Typically, deciding involves choosing among multiple options, but it can also be a resolution on a single matter.

Can you "determine" without research?

Yes, though "determine" often implies research or investigation, it can also be based on observation or intuition.

Can a committee "decide" on a policy?

Yes, a committee can decide on, or choose, a policy.

Is "determine" more about facts?

Often, yes. "Determine" often involves establishing facts or truths.

Is deciding always a conscious act?

Typically, yes. "Deciding" involves a conscious choice.

Can external factors "determine" a decision?

While they can influence a decision, the act of deciding remains a personal choice.

Can a test "determine" a diagnosis?

Yes, a test can determine, or ascertain, a diagnosis.

When making a decision, is it an act of deciding?

Yes, making a decision is an act of deciding.

Is "determine" synonymous with "ascertain"?

In many contexts, yes. Both can mean to find out or establish with certainty.
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie Carlson
Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.

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