I can't distinguish determine and assert

Question

as captioned, these are the 2 words I can't well tell the difference and well use them in my daily life.

Anyone can tell me usual sceniros where these 2 words are frequently used respectively? Much thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Here's the very general idea of these words.

determine - decide

eg The jury will determine their verdict.

assert - declare, state clearly

eg He asserted that he was innocent.

Neither is a word that you are likely to use every day, or for very minor things.

Clive

KrisBlueNZ · Answer

The main meaning of DETERMINE is to FIND OUT or ASCERTAIN. Actually, ASCERTAIN is a good synonym for DETERMINE in this sense.

For example, the bouncer at a nightclub needs to DETERMINE your age, so he knows whether to let you in or not.

He would ask you for a driver's license or some other kind of ID, which states your date of birth, from which he can DETERMINE your age.

The process could be quite complicated. For example, by making various measurements, you can DETERMINE the diameter of the Earth.

DETERMINE also means to CONTROL, in the following sense: The quality of your performance will DETERMINE whether you win the competition or not. Whether you win or lose the competition will be DETERMINED BY the quality of your performance.

DETERMINED is the past tense of DETERMINE, but it's also an adjective that means FORCEFUL or PERSISTENT; a DETERMINED person will try hard to achieve his goal, without being deterred by setbacks.

ASSERT means to CLAIM AS TRUE. For example I could say "I have blue eyes". That is a statement of fact, and if I say it, I'm saying "It is TRUE that I have blue eyes". I am making an ASSERTION, or ASSERTING that statement as TRUE or correct.

I can't distinguish determine and assert

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