Deem vs Determine: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Are you confused about when to use “deem” and when to use “determine”? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately. In this article, we will explore the differences between deem and determine and provide examples of when to use each word.

Let’s define the two words. Deem means to judge, consider, or believe something to be true. Determine means to decide or conclude after considering all the available information. While both words involve making a judgment, deem is more subjective and based on personal opinion, while determine is more objective and based on evidence.

So, which word should you use? It depends on the context and the level of certainty required. If you are expressing a personal opinion or belief, deem may be the appropriate word. For example, “I deem this book to be the best I’ve ever read.” On the other hand, if you are making a decision based on evidence or facts, determine may be the better choice. For example, “After considering all the evidence, we have determined that the suspect is guilty.”

Throughout this article, we will explore more examples and provide guidance on when to use deem and when to use determine.

Define Deem

Deem is a verb that means to judge or consider something in a certain way. It is often used when making a subjective assessment of something or someone. When you deem something, you are making a personal opinion about it based on your own beliefs or values. For example, you might deem a movie to be too violent for children, or deem a person to be untrustworthy based on their behavior.

Define Determine

Determine is also a verb, but it has a more objective meaning than deem. When you determine something, you are making a decision based on evidence or facts. It involves a logical or scientific process of analyzing information to arrive at a conclusion. For example, you might determine the cause of a disease by conducting lab tests, or determine the winner of a race by measuring the finish times of the participants.

Comparison of deem vs determine

Deem	Determine
Subjective	Objective
Based on personal opinion	Based on evidence or facts
May not be supported by evidence	Supported by evidence
Often used in legal or literary contexts	Often used in scientific or analytical contexts

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word in a sentence can make a significant difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Two words that are often confused are deem and determine. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of these two words in a sentence.

How To Use “Deem” In A Sentence

The word “deem” means to judge or consider something in a particular way. It is often used in formal or legal language. Here are some examples of how to use “deem” in a sentence:

• The court will deem the evidence admissible.
• The board of directors will deem the proposal acceptable.
• The company will deem the product ready for launch.

Note that “deem” is often followed by an adjective or noun that describes the judgment being made. It is also commonly used in the passive voice, as in the examples above.

How To Use “Determine” In A Sentence

The word “determine” means to find out or come to a decision about something. It is often used in scientific or investigative contexts. Here are some examples of how to use “determine” in a sentence:

• The study will determine the effectiveness of the new treatment.
• The investigation will determine the cause of the accident.
• The test will determine the student’s level of proficiency.

Note that “determine” is often followed by a verb or noun that describes the action being taken to find out or decide something. It is also commonly used in the active voice, as in the examples above.

More Examples Of Deem & Determine Used In Sentences

As we continue to explore the differences between “deem” and “determine”, it can be helpful to see more examples of how these words are used in sentences. Below, we’ve provided several examples of each word in context.

Examples Of Using “Deem” In A Sentence

• After reviewing the evidence, the judge deemed the defendant guilty.
• The company’s board of directors deemed the proposed merger to be in the best interest of shareholders.
• She deemed it necessary to speak up and defend her position.
• His behavior was deemed inappropriate by his supervisor.
• The committee deemed the project too risky to pursue.
• Some critics have deemed the film a masterpiece, while others have panned it as pretentious.
• The court deemed the contract to be null and void.
• The school district deemed the new curriculum to be more effective than the old one.
• The judge deemed the evidence inadmissible due to improper handling.
• The committee deemed the proposal to be too expensive and impractical.

Examples Of Using “Determine” In A Sentence

• Scientists are trying to determine the cause of the outbreak.
• The investigation determined that the fire was caused by faulty wiring.
• She determined that the best course of action was to wait and see.
• He determined that he would finish the project no matter what.
• The doctor determined that surgery was necessary to correct the problem.
• The committee determined that the proposal was feasible and worth pursuing.
• After much deliberation, the jury determined that the defendant was not guilty.
• Experts are still trying to determine the long-term effects of the new drug.
• The survey determined that most people prefer the new design over the old one.
• The coach determined that the team needed to focus on defense in order to win.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “deem” and “determine,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using “Deem” To Mean “Determine”

One common mistake is using “deem” to mean “determine.” While both words suggest arriving at a conclusion, “deem” implies a subjective judgment, while “determine” implies an objective conclusion based on evidence or analysis. For example, you might say “I determined that the experiment was successful based on the data,” but you would not say “I deemed the experiment successful.”

Mistake #2: Using “Determine” To Mean “Deem”

Conversely, some people use “determine” to mean “deem,” which is also incorrect. “Determine” implies an objective process of arriving at a conclusion based on evidence or analysis, while “deem” implies a subjective judgment. For example, you might say “I deemed the movie to be entertaining,” but you would not say “I determined the movie to be entertaining.”

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

• Be aware of the distinct meanings of “deem” and “determine” and use them appropriately.
• If you’re unsure which word to use, consider whether you’re making a subjective judgment (use “deem”) or arriving at an objective conclusion based on evidence or analysis (use “determine”).
• Proofread your writing carefully to ensure you’re using the correct word.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “deem” and “determine” can be a tricky task as it depends on the context in which they are used. These words are often used interchangeably, but understanding their subtle differences can help in conveying the intended meaning more accurately.

Deem

The word “deem” is often used to express a subjective opinion or judgment. It implies that someone has formed an opinion based on their own beliefs or standards. For instance, a person may deem a movie as boring or a painting as beautiful based on their personal preferences. In legal contexts, the word “deem” is used to indicate that something is considered to be true or to have a particular legal status, even if it may not be entirely accurate. For example, a court may deem a contract as valid, even if it has some flaws.

Determine

The word “determine,” on the other hand, is used to express an objective decision or conclusion based on evidence or facts. It implies that someone has arrived at a decision after analyzing relevant information. For instance, a doctor may determine the cause of a patient’s illness after conducting various tests and examinations. In scientific contexts, the word “determine” is used to indicate the exact value or quantity of something, such as determining the melting point of a substance or the speed of a chemical reaction.

Examples Of Different Contexts

The choice between “deem” and “determine” can change depending on the context in which they are used. Here are some examples:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Legal	The court will ____ the contract as valid.	Deem
Medical	The doctor will ____ the cause of the patient’s symptoms.	Determine
Opinion	I ____ this book as a must-read for all literature lovers.	Deem
Scientific	The researchers will ____ the exact amount of protein in the sample.	Determine

As seen in the examples, the choice between “deem” and “determine” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. It is important to consider the intended meaning and the context to choose the appropriate word.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “deem” and “determine” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth noting. Here are some cases where the rules may not apply:

1. Legal Terminology

In legal terminology, “deem” is often used to mean “considered as”, while “determine” is used to mean “to come to a decision”. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of “deemed income”, which refers to income that is considered as taxable, even if it has not been received.

2. Technical Writing

In technical writing, “determine” is often used to mean “to calculate” or “to measure”, while “deem” is used to mean “to judge” or “to consider”. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of “deemed value”, which refers to a value that is considered to be accurate, even if it has not been calculated or measured.

3. Colloquial Usage

In colloquial usage, “deem” is often used interchangeably with “consider”, while “determine” is used to mean “to decide” or “to find out”. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of “deemed necessary”, which refers to something that is considered to be necessary, even if it has not been decided or found out to be so.

Overall, while the rules for using “deem” and “determine” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth noting. By understanding these exceptions, you can use these words more effectively and accurately in your writing.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have learned the differences between “deem” and “determine,” it’s time to put your knowledge into practice! Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and usage of these two words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (deem or determine) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The judge will __________ the winner of the competition based on the contestants’ scores.
2. After reviewing the evidence, the detective was able to __________ who committed the crime.
3. The company will __________ whether or not to invest in the new project.
4. Many people __________ it rude to talk with their mouths full.
5. The doctor will __________ if the patient needs surgery or not.

Answer Key:

1. determine
2. determine
3. deem
4. deem
5. determine

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite each sentence below using the opposite word of the one provided:

1. The teacher deemed the student’s essay to be excellent.
2. The company determined that the new product would be successful.
3. The judge determined that the defendant was guilty.

Answer Key:

1. The teacher determined the student’s essay to be terrible.
2. The company deemed that the new product would be a failure.
3. The judge deemed that the defendant was innocent.

By completing these exercises, you should have a better grasp of how to properly use “deem” and “determine” in your sentences. Keep practicing and you’ll be a master of these words in no time!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between “deem” and “determine” may seem subtle, but it is important to use these words correctly to convey your intended meaning. Remember that “deem” is subjective and refers to a personal opinion or judgment, while “determine” is objective and refers to a factual conclusion or decision based on evidence.

It is also important to note that grammar and language use are complex topics that require ongoing learning and practice. By improving your understanding of grammar, you can communicate more effectively and confidently in both written and spoken language.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

Key Takeaways

• “Deem” refers to a personal opinion or judgment, while “determine” refers to a factual conclusion or decision based on evidence.
• Using “deem” when “determine” is more appropriate can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
• Proper grammar and language use are essential for effective communication.
• Continuing to learn and practice grammar is important for ongoing improvement in communication skills.

By keeping these takeaways in mind and continuing to improve your grammar skills, you can become a more effective communicator and convey your intended message with clarity and precision.