what is the difference?

Determination can start the process toward a commitment.

Determination is when you are faced with a task to finish something you start regardless of the obstacles you have in front of you. It may be a 10k run or perhaps learning how to play the piano. You are determined to get to the finish line (10k) or perhaps to the point of feeling comfortable playing in front of a group.

Commitment is the final product and you enjoy to the point where you continue well past the point you thought you would. Such as the feeling the 10k run brought to you and you will continue - perhaps run a marathon every year. Perhaps you enjoy playing the piano so much that you offer to play each year in a production for a senior center, perhaps even offer to teach others the basics..

To me, "determination" has a connotation of something that you do internally, yourself; "commitment," though, implies a relationship between people. That is, I might make a commitment to finishing a job for you by tomorrow at 5 p.m. I might also be determined to finish it, but that's internal; my commitment is "to" somebody else.

I am dedicated to answering this question, but I'm not committed to it being the correct answer. Get it?

You can be dedicated to something, without actually committing to it. Like your girlfriend/boyfriend. You might be totally dedicated to him/her, but not ready to make the "commitment" of marriage.

You can back out of dedication pretty easily, but once you've made the commitment, it's tougher to back out!! Think of buying a car. The bank "commits" you to a contract, they don't just ask you to be dedicated to making your payment.

I could go on, but then someone might become dedicated to getting me committed!!

You can have determination to do something.

Example: I am determined to make this marriage work.

And you can have a commitment to something.

Example: I am committed to making this marriage work.