我相信 decide 和 determine 這兩個字對於認識它們的人來說也是相當困擾的 因為中文裡幾乎都把它們譯為 ”決定” 但這兩個字其實意思也不一樣 decide 的 ”決定”, 指的是做出選擇 句型是: decide on + 名詞, 或 decide to V 比如: We haven’t decided on the wedding date. He decided to move to Florida. 都是指經過考量之後, 做出一個決定, 選擇某一個 determine 所指的 ”決定”, 則是 ”下定決心” 的意思 暗示了不但要做這件事, 還會堅持下去 比如 ”決定減肥” 其實是 ”下定決心要減肥” 它的句型也是 determine to V 另外也可以用 be determined to V 來表示 ”決心要...” 比如: She has determined to lose weight. (她已經打定主意要減肥) She is determined to lose weight. (她決心要減肥) determine 也有 ”判定” 或 ”控制” 的意思 像是: The police are not able to determine whether it is a murder. The price of the new product will be determined by the market. 所以, 如果講 He decided to work harder. 意思是在他可以做的事當中 (包括不努力工作) 他選擇了要更努力工作 但是講 He determined to work harder. 則是指他決心要更努力工作 除了要開始這麼做之外, 還強調了堅定的心意 現在就讓大家來練習看看, 下面的幾個句子該用 decide 還是 determine: 1. He ( decided / determined ) to buy a car instead of taking the bus every day. 2. Terry is trying to ( decide / determine ) where to have his birthday party. 3. Jack has ( decided / determined ) to save a million dollars before he reaches 30. 4. Penelope has ( decided / determined ) to marry Owen. 5. The CEO is ( decided / determined ) to increase profit by at least 20% next year.