as a means of detecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a means of detecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a method or tool that is employed to identify or discover something. Example: "The new software was developed as a means of detecting anomalies in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

She became widely known for opposing prenatal testing as a means of detecting disabilities, and abortion as a means of selecting babies without them.

The New York Times

A new type of CT scan promoted as a means of detecting lung cancer at its earliest stages is unproven, can lead to invasive testing and would probably not be cost-effective as a widespread screening tool, researchers say.

The New York Times

The yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system was designed in the late 1980s as a means of detecting direct interactions between binary pairs of proteins.

Methods in Microbiology

Monte Carlo simulations designed to evaluate the utility of this method indicate that it is inadequate as a means of detecting errors resulting from the incorporation of small samples in an analysis.

Journal of Archaeological Science

The approach described here of quantifying joint contact patterns has also been used by other investigators as a means of detecting functional differences associated with a specific clinical condition (e.g., distal radius malunion [19, 20]) that can not be detected using conventional kinematic parameters.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Research into laterality often uses side-bias as a means of detecting hemispheric specialization [12].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

To complement assays that assess HR by measuring its end points (10– 13), and as a rapid means of detecting proteins involved in HR-mediated repair, many researchers have used microscopic detection of RPA or other HR-associated proteins within punctate subnuclear foci at DNA damage sites to assess progression into and through the various stages of HR (14– 14).

Cytometry Part A

The court, whose decision is final, said in a statement Tuesday that it had examined the cycling union's biological passport program as a part of Caucchioli's case and "found that the strict application of such program could be considered as a reliable means of detecting indirect doping methods".

The New York Times - Sports

Since perfringolysin O production is dependent upon the VirSR system [22], [33], an inability to complement the virS mutation in JIR4000, i.e. no hemolysis on HBA, was used as a direct means of detecting loss of VirS function.

Plosone

In-depth psychiatric assessment is not usually available as a first means of detecting cognitive impairment due to time and opportunity constraints.

BMC Geriatrics

Over 100 years since its introduction as a serologic means of detecting the presence of typhoid fever, the Widal test continues to be plagued with controversies involving the quality of the antigens used and interpretation of the result, particularly in endemic areas [ 11].

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a means of detecting", ensure that the sentence clearly states what is being detected and the specific context in which the detection occurs.

Common error

Avoid using "as a means of detecting" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrases like "to detect" or "for detecting" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a means of detecting" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action or process. It specifies that something is done with the explicit goal of identifying or discovering something else. Ludwig provides many examples that showcase this specific function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a means of detecting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate the purpose of an action—specifically, to identify or discover something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in formal and scientific contexts, such as research papers and technical reports, though it also appears in news media. While effective, it's advisable to avoid overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "to detect" or "for detecting" might be more suitable. Alternatives such as "as a way to detect" or "for the purpose of detecting" can offer slight variations in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a way to detect

Changes the noun "means" to the noun "way", offering a more direct and commonly used alternative.

as a method for detecting

Replaces "means" with "method", emphasizing a systematic approach to detection.

for the purpose of detecting

Uses a more formal tone, explicitly stating the intention behind the action.

with the aim of detecting

Highlights the goal or objective of the detection process.

in order to detect

A more concise way of expressing the purpose of detection.

used to detect

Simplifies the structure to a passive construction, focusing on the function.

serving to detect

Emphasizes the function or role in the detection process.

as an instrument for detection

Replaces "means of detecting" with an instrumental perspective, suggesting a tool.

functioning as a detector of

Highlights the role as a detector, shifting focus to the entity that detects.

designed for detection

Focuses on the design or intended purpose of detecting something.

FAQs

How can I use "as a means of detecting" in a sentence?

Use "as a means of detecting" to introduce a method or tool used for identification. For example, "The study used MRI "as a means of detecting" early signs of the disease".

What are some alternatives to "as a means of detecting"?

You can use alternatives such as "as a way to detect", "for the purpose of detecting", or simply "to detect" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "as a means of detecting" formal or informal?

"As a means of detecting" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, simpler options like "to detect" or "for detecting" might be preferable.

When should I use "as a means of detecting" instead of "to detect"?

Use "as a means of detecting" when you want to emphasize the method or process being used for detection. "To detect" is more direct and suitable when the focus is simply on the act of detection itself.