Functionalities of adjectives and verbs are different from each other. This article will examine to which of these two parts of speech the word “determined” belongs to.
The word “determined” is both an adjective and a verb. When it does the work of qualifying or modifying the nouns or noun phrases in a sentence, it is an adjective and when it is representing an action or an activity, it is a verb. The word “determined” refers to being strong willed.
We shall with various examples explore how and when the word “determined” functions as an adjective and as a verb.
When is “determined” an adjective?
It is now obvious that the word “determined” can be an adjective. Here we will get to know more about when the word “determined” will be an adjective.
The tabular column below will guide us on the instances when the word “determined” will be describing the nouns and noun phrases, thereby functioning as an adjective.
| Instances When “Determined” Is An Adjective | Examples | Explanations |
| 1. Used to modify the state of mind of a naming word who is/ are strong willed about something that nothing or nobody can change their mind or can stop them from doing something. | Sujatha was determined to find out the cause for the mishap. | In this sentence, the adjective “determined” shows to us the state of mind of the noun “Sujatha” (a person) who is so strong willed about finding the reason or cause for the mishap. It also shows us that her decision is final and she will not change her mind no matter what. |
| 2. Used to modify a noun or noun phrase that is full of (filled with) determination or possessing determination | Rishi has been a determined boy since a very young age. | The adjective “determined” in this sentence, depicts to us the resolute (filled with determination), unwavering nature of Rishi (the naming word – a person) since a very young age. |
Is “determined” a descriptive adjective?
All Adjectives qualify nouns, but how do they do it? Based on how they qualify, adjectives are divided into types. Let’s know if “determined” is a descriptive adjective.
The word “determined” is a descriptive adjective. Adjectives that describe or modify singular or plural naming words by telling to us about their qualities, nature, and characteristic features such as color, state of mind, shape, size, behavior and so on are nothing but descriptive adjectives.
Example: Rupali was determined to get the first rank in her class.
In this sentence, the word “determined” is an adjective that is qualifying the naming word “Rupali”. The adjective “determined” is modifying noun “Rupali” by telling us about her strong willed nature or state of mind in wanting to get the first rank in her class. Hence, “determined” is a descriptive adjective.
When is “determined” a descriptive adjective?
“Determined” is a descriptive adjective when it is telling us the strong willed, resolute, filled with the determination nature, state of mind, behavior of a singular or plural noun. “Determined” can be a descriptive adjective while it is placed or not placed in front of the noun it is describing.
We shall now read through a few examples to understand in detail the usage of the word “determined” as a descriptive adjective.
| Examples | Usage Of “Determined” As A Descriptive Adjective | Explanations |
| 1. My team members are determined to bag the deal. | In this sentence, the descriptive adjective “determined” shows to us the mental state of the noun “team members” (collective noun used for people working together as a group) who is very strong willed and decisive about bagging the deal. | The descriptive adjective “determined” is thus here utilized as a predicate adjective in order to describe the subject noun “team members”, by telling that their decision is final and they will not change their mind no matter who or what, thereby acting as the subject complement. |
| 2. The determined mother raised her children all by herself. | The descriptive adjective “determined” in this sentence, portrays to us the resolute (filled with determination), unwavering characteristic feature of the mother (the noun – a person) in raising her children all by herself. | The descriptive adjective “determined” is thus here utilized as a subject predicate in order to describe subject noun “mother” by telling us her persevering nature despite all difficulties. |
| 3. Since childhood, Ayaana was determined to become an army officer. | In this sentence, the descriptive adjective “determined” shows to us the perseverance of the noun “Ayaana” (a person) who since childhood was very sure of what she wants to become in future. | The descriptive adjective “determined” here is the subject compliment of the naming word “Ayaana” which is a part of the subject. It describes Ayaana’s strong attitude since childhood. |
| 4. Your father is one of the most determined persons I have ever come across in my life. | The descriptive adjective “determined” utilized in this sentence, shows to us the father’s unwavering nature filled with determination. | Here, the descriptive adjective “determined” is used in its superlative form “most determined” to describe the naming word “father” and is positioned in the predicate making it a predicate adjective. |
| 5. Varsha is determined to make Ram speak to Sita. | “Determined”, the descriptive adjective here is used to show us how bent upon Varsha is in making Ram speak to Sita. | In the given sentence, the descriptive adjective “determined” is modifying the naming word “Varsha” (a person) in the subject. “Determined” here is a predicate adjective which is telling us about the resolute nature of Varsha. |
| 6. The determined old man comes here every day believing he would find his lost wife someday. | The descriptive adjective “determined” utilized in this sentence denotes to us the tenacious characteristic feature or behavior of the old man. | Here, the subject descriptive adjective “determined” is qualifying the naming word “man” (a person) along with yet another adjective “old” in the subject to indicate the single mindedness of the old man. |
| 7. The entire management is determined to solve this issues today right here. | In this sentence, “determined”, the descriptive adjective is utilized to indicate the firm and resolute thought or decision of the management in solving the issues today right here. | The predicate descriptive adjective “determined” is qualifying the naming word “management” located in the subject, thus making it the subject complement as it tells us about the perseverance of the management. |
Is “determined” a verb?
There are times when one word can be used in more than one way, that is, can belong to more than one part of speech. We shall see here, if “determined” can be a verb.
The word “determined” is a verb. A word which shows or depicts an action or an activity in past, present or future tense can be regarded as a verb. Some verbs also show the state of being.
Example: The place for the tour will be determined based on the students’ wishes.
In the above sentence, the word “determined” is functioning as a verb since it is here representing an action of deciding. The verb “determined” is indicating that the place for the tour will be decided based on the wishes of the students.
When is “determined” a verb?
The word “determined” will be a verb when it is used to represent various actions such as controlling, discovering, deciding, calculating, and influencing.
The tabular column will below list down a few examples where we can find the word “determined” is utilized as an action word (verb).
| Examples | Explanations – Usage of “Determined” As A Verb |
| 1. The cross investigation determined that he was innocent. | In this sentence, the verb “determined” is referring to the action of discovering that “he” was innocent through the cross investigation. |
| 2. The hair color and texture of an individual can be determined genetically. | The verb “determined” here in this sentence refers to the action of the genes deciding or controlling the hair color and the texture of an individual. |
| 3. We determined to find out what went wrong in the experiment. | Here, the verb “determined” represents the action of deciding to find out the wrong that happened in the experiment. |
| 4. The cost of the tickets for the theme park is determined by the seasons. | In the given sentence, the verb “determined” denotes that the cost of the tickets for the theme park is influenced or calculated based on the seasons. |
| 5. The overall championship is determined by the results of the various competitions. | The verb “determined” here refers to influence or control. It shows refers that the overall championship is controlled or influenced by the results of the several competitions. |
Conclusion
Thus, this article clearly details to us the usage of the word “determined” as an adjective and as a verb in different places and situations.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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