What criteria differentiate a fee simple determinable from other types of ownership?

A fee simple determinable is a type of property ownership that is characterized by specific conditions or limitations tied to the use of the property. The ownership in this case will continue as long as a particular activity or use occurs, and if that activity ceases, the ownership automatically reverts back to the previous owner or their heirs.

This distinguishing feature makes it different from other ownership types. For example, in a fee simple subject to a condition subsequent, the ownership can continue unless a specific condition is violated, but it does not automatically revert to the previous owner; there must be an action taken to reclaim it. Other forms of ownership may not have any conditions at all or may have conditions that do not relate to the ongoing use of the property.

In setting this apart from the other choices, the focus is that the fee simple determinable requires an ongoing action or event for the ownership to remain intact, which is what directly impacts the status of the ownership itself.