Discern an error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Discern an error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of identifying or recognizing a mistake or fault in something, such as a document or a process. Example: "As you review the report, please take a moment to discern an error that may have been overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Steven Rattner's otherwise discerning profile of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan ("Upstart in the Senate". Jan . 7 there appears an error that I am sure the Senator would be the first to want to see corrected.

The New York Times

We discern no error with this interpretation.

Harvard University

However, we discern no error with the district court's interpretation of "shopping cart model," because it is consistent with the written description and with the comments made by Amazon discussing the term during prosecution of the '411 patent, as discussed earlier with reference to the "single action" limitation.

Harvard University

"It was an error".

The New York Times

(Jesús made an error).

The New York Times - Sports

This is an error.

Independent

That was an error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is that an error?

The New Yorker

End of an Error".

The New York Times - Magazine

What an error.

The Guardian

Find an error?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Discern an error", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being examined for errors. Providing specific details helps to emphasize the importance of accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "Discern an error" when the error is merely suspected but not confirmed. Using weaker language like "suspect an error" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discern an error" functions as a verb phrase, where 'discern' acts as a transitive verb requiring an object ('an error'). It highlights the action of identifying or recognizing a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "discern an error" is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While "discern an error" isn't highly frequent, it is applicable in academic, news, and scientific domains for emphasizing careful error identification. Consider alternatives like "detect a mistake" or "identify an inaccuracy" for different nuances. When using this phrase, clarity in specifying the object of examination is crucial. This detailed analysis provides comprehensive guidance for effectively employing the phrase "discern an error" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Detect a mistake

Focuses on the act of finding a mistake, emphasizing the discovery aspect.

Identify an inaccuracy

Highlights the recognition of something not accurate or exact.

Spot a flaw

Emphasizes the discovery of a defect or imperfection.

Recognize a fault

Focuses on acknowledging the existence of a defect or shortcoming.

Uncover an oversight

Highlights revealing something that was missed or forgotten.

Find a bug

Specifically refers to finding errors in software or systems.

Determine an inaccuracy

Emphasizes the process of establishing something as not accurate.

Ascertain a mistake

Focuses on finding something out for certain and therefore discovering a mistake.

Notice an error

Simple act of becoming aware of an error.

Perceive an inaccuracy

Highlights the awareness of something not accurate or exact through the senses or intuition.

FAQs

How to use "Discern an error" in a sentence?

You can use "Discern an error" when referring to the act of identifying or recognizing a mistake or fault in something. For example, "As you review the report, please take a moment to discern an error that may have been overlooked."

What can I say instead of "Discern an error"?

You can use alternatives like "detect a mistake", "identify an inaccuracy", or "spot a flaw" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Discern an error" or "Discern the error"?

"Discern an error" implies identifying one of potentially many errors, while "Discern the error" suggests identifying a specific, already known or expected error. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "Discern an error" and "Find an error"?

"Discern an error" suggests a more careful and thoughtful process of detection, often implying that the error is subtle or difficult to find. "Find an error" is a more general term for locating a mistake.