[Grammar] Is This Sentence Correct?

[yeecharles]

Is the sentence below correct? Many of my colleagues told me that it was wrong. Please read the sentence and tell me if it is correct. If it is wrong, kindly correct it.

He determined himself to endure all hardships.

My colleagues told me that the word determine cannot be used as a verb in this context.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

If there was a bet, you'll have to pay up! Your colleagues are right.

There are many possible ways to correct this and mean pretty much the same thing.

He braced himself to endure all hardships.
He was determined to endure all hardships.

 

[Rover_KE]

Your colleagues are wrong. Delete himself and it's fine.

determine
▶verb

2 firmly decide: she determined to tackle Stephen the next day.

(WordReference Dictionary)

Yeecharles, as your question is about the sentence He determined himself to endure all hardships, that would have been a better thread title.

Rover

 

[Tdol]

I think the colleagues are correct, but the reason given is incorrect. The sentence is wrong because of himself and not because of the verb.

 

[TheParser]

Is the sentence below correct? Many of my colleagues told me that it was wrong. Please read the sentence and tell me if it is correct. If it is wrong, kindly correct it.

He determined himself to endure all hardships.

My colleagues told me that the word determine cannot be used as a verb in this context.

ONLY A NON-TEACHER"S OPINION


(1) I checked three reputable online dictionaries. They all agreed that

"determine" + an infinitive is "formal."

(2) I respectfully suggest that you use the adjective, as suggested by

J & R:

He was determined to endure all hardships.

(a) I feel that it is far more idiomatic (the way native speakers use the language)

-- at least for many Americans.

(3) I feel that the present tense almost cries out for the adjective:

I am giving the Parser a second chance because he is determined to improve.

(It is only my opinion that "I am giving the Parser a second chance because he

determines to improve" is mighty "strange sounding.")

 

[Tdol]

J&K's suggestions do read better, but it could be used that way theoretically without himself.