Determine vs. Identify — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
To determine is to establish something definitively after analysis, while to identify is to recognize or be able to name someone or something.
Difference Between Determine and Identify
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Determine implies a process of decision-making or conclusion after careful consideration or investigation. It often involves deliberation to reach a definitive conclusion. Identify, on the other hand, focuses on recognizing or being able to name someone or something based on known characteristics.
Determine can also mean to control or influence something directly, implying that there is an element of causation or direction at play. Identify suggests no control over the subject but simply the action of acknowledging or establishing what or who it is, often through observation or examination.
When you determine something, you might be establishing the parameters, the outcome, or making a judgment. In contrast, when you identify something, you are associating it with certain characteristics or acknowledging its existence.
To determine often requires a higher level of engagement or analysis to come to a conclusion about the nature or significance of something. To identify might simply mean recognizing or naming something without requiring deep analysis or resolution of ambiguity.
In legal or formal contexts, to determine could imply a binding decision or conclusion, whereas to identify could be used to refer to the action of establishing the facts or the relevant entities without suggesting a final decision or conclusion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To conclude or ascertain after consideration.
To recognize or name someone or something.
Process
Involves decision-making or coming to a resolution.
Involves recognizing or matching with known characteristics.
Level of Engagement
Requires analysis and deliberation.
May simply require observation.
Implication
Often implies causation or direction.
Generally does not imply control, only acknowledgment.
Usage in Formal Context
May imply a binding decision or outcome.
More about establishing the presence or truth of something.
Compare with Definitions
Determine
To officially decide something.
The jury will determine the outcome of the case.
Identify
To recognize and name a particular problem or illness.
The doctor identified the illness as a rare form of flu.
Determine
To establish the facts or truth of something.
Scientists aim to determine the cause of the phenomenon.
Identify
To relate to or empathize with someone or something.
Many readers identify with the hero of the novel.
Determine
To ascertain the amount or number of something.
Use this instrument to determine the sample's purity.
Identify
To ascertain the identity of something.
The witness could not identify the suspect.
Determine
Determine (April 7, 1951 – September 27, 1972), was an American Thoroughbred race horse. In a racing career which lasted from 1953 through 1955, the California-trained colt ran forty-four times and won eighteen races.
Identify
To associate someone or something closely with something else.
She is identified with the environmental movement.
Determine
Cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature
It will be her mental attitude that determines her future
Identify
To establish or recognize the identity of; ascertain as a certain person or thing
Can you identify what kind of plane that is? I identified the man at the next table as a famous actor.
Determine
Ascertain or establish exactly by research or calculation
The point of our study was to determine what is true, not what is practicable
The inquest is entrusted with the task of determining the cause of death
Identify
(Biology) To determine the taxonomic classification of (an organism).
Determine
Firmly decide
My wife had determined that I must swap my old bike for a car
She determined to tackle Stephen the next day
He determined on a withdrawal of his forces
Identify
To ascertain as having a certain characteristic or feature
Job candidates who are identified as overqualified.
Children who have been identified with hearing loss.
Determine
Bring or come to an end.
Identify
To consider as identical or united; equate
The Greek god Ares is identified with the Roman god Mars.
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Identify
To associate or affiliate closely with
Writers who are identified with modernism.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
Identify
To consider oneself as sharing certain characteristics or attitudes as another
She identifies strongly with her grandmother.
Determine
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
Identify
To associate oneself with or admire something, such as a set of ideas
A language learner who identifies with a new culture.
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).
Identify
To believe or assert that one belongs to a certain group or class
She identifies as a libertarian. He identifies as bisexual.
Determine
To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
Identify
(transitive) To establish the identity of someone or something.
It was hard to identify the shoplifter because the CCTV records didn't have a clear image.
Determine
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
Identify
(transitive) To disclose the identity of someone.
The Associated Press will not identify the suspect of the crime because he is a juvenile.
Determine
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
Identify
To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
Determine
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Identify
(transitive) To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Identify
(reflexive) To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Identify
(intransitive) To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Identify
To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Identify
To make to be the same; to unite or combine in such a manner as to make one; to treat as being one or having the same purpose or effect; to consider as the same in any relation.
Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
Let us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
Identify
To establish the identity of; to prove to be the same with something described, claimed, or asserted; as, to identify stolen property.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.
Identify
To become the same; to coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc.
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.
Identify
To coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc.; to associate oneself in name, goals, or feelings; usually used with with; as, he identified with the grief she felt at her father's death.
An enlightened self-interest, which, when well understood, they tell us will identify with an interest more enlarged and public.
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.
Identify
Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster
Determine
(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Identify
Give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property;
Many senators were named in connection with the scandal
The almanac identifies the auspicious months
Determine
To bring to an end; to finish.
Identify
Consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else;
He identified with the refugees
Determine
To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
Identify
Conceive of as united or associated;
Sex activity is closely identified with the hypothalamus
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?
Identify
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
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.
Identify
Consider to be equal or the same;
He identified his brother as one of the fugitives
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.
Identify
To establish or indicate who or what someone or something is.
The scientist was able to identify the unknown substance.
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.
Your attitude will determine your success in the project.
Determine
To come to a decision or resolution.
She must determine her course of action by tomorrow.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to determine a fact?
It means to establish the truth or existence of a fact through analysis or investigation.
How do I use 'identify' in a sentence?
You could say, "He was able to identify the bird by its song."
Is identifying something the same as understanding it?
Not necessarily; identification can be superficial, while understanding is deeper.
Does 'determine' imply more certainty than 'identify'?
Generally, yes; 'determine' suggests a definitive conclusion has been reached.
Can 'determine' relate to future events?
Yes, in the sense that it can imply setting a course for future outcomes.
Can determine be used in a scientific context?
Yes, it's often used to describe the process of reaching a scientific conclusion.
In medical terms, what's the difference between the two?
'Determine' often refers to diagnosing with certainty, while 'identify' can mean recognizing symptoms.
What is the role of evidence in determining something?
Evidence is crucial in the process of determining as it guides the decision-making.
Can one person 'identify' while another 'determines'?
Yes, one person could recognize something while another makes a conclusive decision about it.
Can I use 'identify' when I'm not sure about something?
Yes, if you're tentatively naming or recognizing something, you can use 'identify.'
How does context affect the use of 'identify'?
Context can determine whether 'identify' means simply to recognize or to deeply analyze.
Is a determination always final?
Often it is, but it can be provisional pending further information.
Is 'identify' a passive action?
It can be seen as more passive than 'determine,' which is more active and decisive.
Do 'determine' and 'identify' share any synonyms?
They share some synonyms like 'ascertain,' but their nuances can be different.
Does 'determine' require more expertise than 'identify'?
It can, as determination often involves a deeper level of analysis and decision-making.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
