Definitions
- Referring to the ability to perceive or recognize something with clarity. - Talking about the act of distinguishing or differentiating between two or more things. - Describing the process of understanding or comprehending something that is not immediately obvious.
- Referring to the act of making a decision or coming to a conclusion after careful consideration. - Talking about the process of establishing or ascertaining something with certainty. - Describing the ability to control or influence the outcome of a situation.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve making a decision or coming to a conclusion.
- 2Both words require careful consideration or analysis.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a mental process of understanding or figuring out something.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Discern is often used to describe the ability to perceive or recognize something specific, while determine can refer to a broader range of decisions or conclusions.
- 2Certainty: Determine implies a greater degree of certainty or finality than discern.
- 3Influence: Determine can also refer to the ability to control or influence the outcome of a situation, while discern does not have this connotation.
- 4Subjectivity: Discern can be more subjective, depending on the individual's perception or interpretation, while determine is often based on objective criteria.
- 5Formality: Determine is generally considered more formal than discern.
Remember this!
Discern and determine are both verbs that involve making a decision or coming to a conclusion. However, discern emphasizes the ability to perceive or recognize something with clarity, while determine focuses on making a decision or establishing something with certainty. Additionally, determine can also refer to the ability to control or influence the outcome of a situation, while discern does not have this connotation.
