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Prepositions with determination

Determination with different prepositions

With determination is the common expression for showing resolve. Of determination usually describes a quality, and for determination is mainly used in formal contexts about making a decision.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with determination?

Use with determination to describe the way someone acts. Use of determination after another noun to describe a quality or type. Use for determination mainly in formal or legal phrases meaning a decision will be made.

She continued with determination despite the setbacks.
He is a man of determination and patience.
The issue was referred for determination by the committee.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
with determination

Showing resolve while doing something

Use with determination to describe strong effort or persistence in an action.

The team worked with determination until midnight.
She spoke with determination during the meeting.
2
of determination

Describing a person's character

Use of determination after a noun to describe someone or something that has determination as a quality.

They admired her spirit of determination and resilience.
He is a leader of determination and vision.
3
for determination

Referring a matter for a decision

For determination appears in formal or legal English when a question or case will be decided by someone.

The dispute was submitted for determination by the court.
The application is pending for determination by the panel.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
with determination
She trained with determination.
acting in a determined way
of determination
He is a person of determination.
having determination as a quality
for determination
The matter was sent for determination.
awaiting an official decision
determined to
She is determined to succeed.
adjective pattern expressing intention

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of determination for actions

Of determination usually describes a quality, not the manner of an action.

✕ She studied of determination. ✓ She studied with determination.

Using for determination for personal effort

For determination is formal and relates to decisions or judgments.

✕ He worked for determination. ✓ He worked with determination.

Missing the article in descriptive phrases

Use a noun before of determination in most cases.

✕ She is of determination. ✓ She is a person of determination.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The athletes competed ___ determination.
2. The appeal was submitted ___ determination by the board.
3. He is a man ___ determination and integrity.

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Frequently asked questions

Is with determination the most common expression?

Yes. It is the normal way to describe doing something in a determined manner.

Can I say a person of determination?

Yes. This phrase describes someone whose character includes determination.

When is for determination used?

It is mostly used in legal, official, or administrative English for matters awaiting a decision.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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