Definitions
| Use |
Meaning |
Type |
| determined (1) |
Found out, established, or figured out (a fact, cause, or answer) |
Verb (past tense) |
| determined (2) |
Decided firmly to do something; resolved |
Verb (past tense) |
| determined (3) |
Showing strong willpower; refusing to give up |
Adjective |
Grammar Patterns
| Pattern |
Example |
| subject + determined + noun/clause (active) |
The doctor determined the cause of the illness. |
| subject + was/were determined (passive) |
The cause of the fire was determined by investigators. |
| subject + determined to + verb (resolved) |
She determined to finish the race no matter what. |
| determined + noun (adjective before noun) |
a determined effort / a determined leader |
| subject + is/was determined (adjective after verb) |
He was determined to succeed. |
Example Sentences
Meaning 1: To ascertain (find out / establish)
Active:
- 1. The investigation determined that the building was not safe.
- 2. Scientists determined the age of the fossil using carbon dating.
Passive:
- 3. The winner was determined by a panel of judges.
- 4. The exact cost has not yet been determined.
Meaning 2: To resolve to do something
- 5. After failing the exam twice, he determined to pass it the third time.
- 6. She determined to leave the company and start her own business.
- 7. They determined to find a solution before the deadline.
- 8. We determined to never make the same mistake again.
Meaning 3: Adjective — showing strong willpower
- 9. She is a determined woman — nothing stops her.
- 10. Despite the rain, they made a determined effort to finish the game.
- 11. He had a determined look on his face as he walked into the interview.
- 12. The team mounted a determined defence in the final minutes.
Collocations & Common Combinations
Meaning 1 — To ascertain
determined + the cause, the outcome, the result, the facts, the extent, the level
- Experts determined the extent of the damage after the storm.
Meaning 2 — To resolve
determined to + succeed, win, finish, prove, change, fight, find
- He determined to prove everyone wrong.
Meaning 3 — Adjective
determined + effort, attempt, person, look, expression, fighter, leader, opposition, campaign
- She made a determined attempt to break the record.
🔹 "Bound and determined"
In informal English, especially American English, you may hear the phrase bound and determined. It is stronger than determined alone — it means someone absolutely will not stop until they achieve their goal.
- 1. She was bound and determined to get that promotion, no matter how long it took.
- 2. The kids were bound and determined to stay up past midnight on New Year's Eve.
- 3. He was bound and determined to fix the car himself, even though everyone told him to call a mechanic.
Summary
Determined always carries the idea of firmness — either in finding something out, or in refusing to give up. As a verb, it means someone established a fact or made a firm decision. As an adjective, it describes a person or effort that won't quit easily.