Determinant vs. Article: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
A determinant is a factor that decisively affects the nature or outcome of something, while an article is a word used to modify a noun, typically 'a,' 'an,' or 'the'.
Key Differences
Determinants are factors or elements that influence or decide the outcome of a situation. Articles, in grammar, are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific, such as 'the,' 'a,' or 'an.' While determinants affect outcomes, articles modify nouns.
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Dec 29, 2023
In mathematics, a determinant is a value calculated from the elements of a square matrix, offering insights into the matrix's properties. In language, an article is used to indicate whether its noun is being introduced for the first time or is already known.
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Dec 29, 2023
The concept of determinants extends beyond math to include any influencing factor in various contexts. Articles, however, are exclusively a grammatical tool used in many languages to clarify the nature of the nouns they precede.
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Dec 29, 2023
Determinants in economics or social sciences refer to variables that cause change in economic models or social behaviors. In contrast, articles are foundational elements of language, essential for proper sentence structure and meaning.
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Dec 29, 2023
In summary, while determinants are pivotal in shaping outcomes in various fields, articles are fundamental to language, aiding in the clear expression and understanding of nouns.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A factor that decisively influences an outcome.
A word used to modify a noun.
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Usage
Used in various fields like math, economics, and sciences.
Used in language to specify nouns.
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Role
Determines or influences characteristics or outcomes.
Provides clarity and context to a noun.
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Examples in Sentences
"Genetics is a key determinant of health."
"She saw an apple on the table."
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Variability
Can vary widely based on context.
Limited to specific words ('a,' 'an,' 'the').
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Determinant and Article Definitions
Determinant
Something that determines or influences a decision.
Cost is often the determinant in choosing a travel destination.
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Article
A separate clause or paragraph of a legal document.
Article 5 of the contract specifies the payment terms.
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Determinant
A factor that defines or limits a scope of possibilities.
Geography is a determinant of cultural development.
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Article
A subject or topic of discussion or debate.
Free speech is an important article of democracy.
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Determinant
A deciding element in the outcome of a process.
Employee skills are a determinant of business success.
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Article
An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item
An article of clothing.
Articles of food.
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Determinant
A factor that decisively affects the outcome.
Weather is a major determinant of crop yield.
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Article
A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
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Article
A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
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Determinant
An influencing or determining element or factor
"Education is the second most important determinant of recreational participation" (John P. Robinson).
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Article
The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
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Determinant
(Mathematics) The value computed from a square matrix of numbers by a rule of combining products of the matrix entries and that characterizes the solvablitity of simultaneous linear equations. Its absolute value can be interpreted as an area or volume.
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Article
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.
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Determinant
A determining factor; an element that determines the nature of something.
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Article
To bind by articles set forth in a contract, such as one of apprenticeship.
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Determinant
(linear algebra) A scalar that encodes certain characteristics of a given transformation matrix; the unique scalar function over square matrices which is distributive over matrix multiplication, multilinear in the rows and columns, and takes the value 1 for the unit matrix; abbreviated as: det.
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Article
A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
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Determinant
(biology) A substance that causes a cell to adopt a particular fate.
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Article
An object, a member of a group or class.
An article of clothing
A sales article
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Determinant
(genetics) Something that causes a nuclease to cut at a specified point
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Article
(grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
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Article
A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
The Articles of War are a set of regulations...to govern the conduct of...military...forces
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Determinant
That which serves to determine; that which causes determination.
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Article
A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
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Determinant
The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws
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Determinant
A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise.
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Article
(archaic) A wench.
She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
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Determinant
A determining or causal element or factor;
Education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life
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Determinant
Having the power or quality of deciding;
The crucial experiment
Cast the deciding vote
The determinative (or determinant) battle
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Determinant
In mathematics, a value representing the system of a square matrix.
The determinant of the matrix was zero, indicating it has no inverse.
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Article
(transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
To article an apprentice to a mechanic
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Article
(obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
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Article
A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as, articles of agreement.
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Article
A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
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Article
Subject; matter; concern; distinct.
A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding.
This last article will hardly be believed.
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Article
A particular one of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food.
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Article
Precise point of time; moment.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
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Article
One of the three words, a, an, the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
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Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
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Article
To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
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Article
To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
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Article
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
Then he articled with her that he should go away when he pleased.
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Article
A separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
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Article
(grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
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Article
A word used to modify a noun, which is typically 'a,' 'an,' or 'the.'
He bought an apple.
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Article
In journalism, a piece of writing included with others in a newspaper or magazine.
She wrote an article about climate change.
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Article
A particular item or object.
The museum displayed rare articles from ancient Egypt.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is an article in grammar?
An article is a word ('a,' 'an,' 'the') used to indicate specificity of a noun.
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Dec 29, 2023
Are determinants always numerical?
No, determinants can be qualitative factors, not just numerical values.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can an article be omitted in a sentence?
Yes, in some languages and contexts, articles can be omitted.
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What is the purpose of articles in English?
Articles are used to specify nouns and provide clarity in English sentences.
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Is 'an' used before vowels?
Yes, 'an' is used before words starting with vowel sounds.
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Are determinants important in economics?
Yes, in economics, determinants are key factors affecting markets and trends.
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Dec 29, 2023
How is a determinant used in mathematics?
In math, a determinant is a calculated value from a square matrix.
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Dec 29, 2023
What is a determinant in general terms?
A determinant is a factor that strongly influences an outcome or decision.
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Can a determinant be a person?
Yes, a person can be a determinant in certain situations.
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What's the difference between 'a' and 'the'?
'A' is used for nonspecific items, 'the' for specific ones.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can determinants change over time?
Yes, determinants can vary depending on circumstances and time.
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Do all languages have articles?
No, not all languages use articles as part of their grammar.
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Are social factors considered determinants in sociology?
Yes, social factors are key determinants in sociological studies.
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Can determinants be controlled or manipulated?
Some determinants can be influenced, while others are beyond control.
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How are determinants identified in a study?
Determinants are identified through research, analysis, and observation.
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Do indefinite articles specify quantity?
Indefinite articles ('a,' 'an') imply a single, but unspecified, quantity.
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How do articles affect sentence meaning?
Articles affect how we perceive the specificity and familiarity of a noun.
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Dec 29, 2023
Are articles used with proper nouns?
Generally, articles are not used with proper nouns.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can a determinant be an event?
Yes, an event can act as a determinant in various contexts.
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Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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