Determine vs. Determinate: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Harlon Moss || Updated on May 20, 2024
"Determine" means to find out or establish something definitively, while "determinate" describes something with fixed and definite limits or character.
Key Differences
"Determine" is a verb that means to establish, decide, or conclude something based on evidence or reasoning. "Determinate," on the other hand, is an adjective that describes something with fixed, definite, or established limits or character.
When you determine something, you are actively engaging in a process to reach a conclusion or decision. Determinate, however, signifies that something is already fixed or established. It implies a state of being that is clear-cut, specific, and unchangeable.
"Determine" is about the action of deciding or concluding, while "determinate" describes something that has clear, established boundaries or limits.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective
Definition
To establish or decide something
Having fixed, definite limits or character
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Example Usage
"Determine the best solution"
"Determinate growth in plants"
Process vs. State
Process of finding out or concluding
State of being fixed or established
Context
Often used in decision-making and problem-solving
Often used to describe set characteristics or limits
Determine and Determinate Definitions
Determine
To decide or conclude after consideration.
We need to determine the best date for the meeting.
Determinate
Having fixed limits or clear boundaries.
The plant's determinate growth stops after reaching a certain height.
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Determine
To find out something through investigation.
Scientists determine the cause of the disease.
Determinate
Conclusively resolved.
The issue was determinate, leaving no room for further debate.
Determine
To ascertain through analysis or calculation.
They determine the value of the property.
Determinate
Decisive and definite.
The judge gave a determinate sentence of five years.
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Determinate
Clearly defined and unchangeable.
The contract has determinate terms and conditions.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
Determinate
Specific and exact.
They required a determinate number of signatures.
Determine
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
Determinate
Precisely limited or defined; definite
A determinate number.
A determinate distance.
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
Conclusively settled; final.
Determine
To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
Determinate
Firm in purpose; resolute.
Determine
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
Determinate
Terminating in a flower and blooming in a sequence beginning with the uppermost or central flower
A determinate inflorescence.
Determine
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
Determinate
Not continuing indefinitely at the tip of an axis
Determinate growth.
Determine
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Determinate
Distinct, clearly defined.
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Determinate
Fixed, set, unvarying.
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Determinate
(biology) Of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed.
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Determinate
Conclusive; decisive; positive.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Determinate
(obsolete) Determined or resolved upon.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
Determinate
Of determined purpose; resolute.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.
Determinate
(philosophy) A single state of a particular determinable attribute.
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
(obsolete) To bring to an end; to determine.
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.
Determinate
Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed; established; definite.
Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
Determine
(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determinate
Conclusive; decisive; positive.
The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
Determine
To bring to an end; to finish.
Determinate
Determined or resolved upon.
My determinate voyage.
Determine
To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
Determinate
Of determined purpose; resolute.
More determinate to do than skillful how to do.
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?
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.
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.
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; as, another's will determined me to this course.
Determinate
Not continuing to grow indefinitely at the apex;
Determinate growth
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.
Determinate
Supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement;
A definitive verdict
A determinate answer to the problem
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 establish something definitively.
The detective tried to determine the suspect's motive.
Determine
To influence or set the course of something.
The weather will determine if we go hiking.
FAQs
What does "determinate" mean?
"Determinate" describes something with fixed, definite, or established limits or character.
What does "determine" mean?
"Determine" means to establish, decide, or conclude something based on evidence or reasoning.
Can you give an example of "determine"?
e.g., The scientists aim to determine the effects of the new drug.
Is "determinate" an adjective?
Yes, "determinate" is an adjective.
Is "determinate" used in botanical contexts?
Yes, it describes plants that grow to a certain point and then stop.
Is "determine" a verb?
Yes, "determine" is a verb.
Can you give an example of "determinate"?
e.g., The contract has determinate terms and conditions.
How is "determine" used in decision-making?
"Determine" is used to describe the process of deciding the best course of action.
What is the process involved in "determine"?
It involves gathering information, analyzing data, and making a reasoned judgment.
How is "determinate" used in legal contexts?
It describes a sentence with a specific, fixed duration.
Can "determine" influence outcomes?
Yes, determining factors can influence the outcome of a situation.
Is "determine" used in scientific research?
Yes, scientists determine findings through investigation and analysis.
Does "determine" involve investigation?
Yes, it often involves investigation to reach a conclusion.
What is implied by something being "determinate"?
It implies that it is clear-cut, specific, and unchangeable.
What kind of state is "determinate"?
It is a state of being fixed or established with clear boundaries.
Can "determine" be used in everyday contexts?
Yes, it can be used in various contexts such as determining plans or outcomes.
Can "determinate" be used to describe agreements?
Yes, it can describe agreements with specific, fixed terms.
What kind of action is "determine"?
It is an active process of establishing or deciding something.
Does "determinate" involve resolution?
Yes, it implies a conclusive and fixed resolution.
Does "determinate" imply flexibility?
No, "determinate" implies a lack of flexibility and fixed limits.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet 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.
Co-written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
