could detect that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could detect that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to perceive or identify something, often in a context involving observation or analysis. Example: "The sensors could detect that there was a change in temperature, indicating a potential malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

So he ordered some venom from a company in Utah to determine whether his method could detect that hormone.

The New York Times

There should be no structure to the surface, but if there is, if black holes have any 'hair,' we could detect that". - Imre Bartos, physics lecturer at Columbia University and one of the lead LIGO researchers.

Columbia University

From these data set, we could detect that emerging flux tubes crossed the photosphere to the chromosphere and that 'convective collapse' phenomena appeared at the stage of the spot formation.

Advances in Space Research

"Often we look back and see that these videos are the ones that performed extraordinarily well, way before an algorithm could detect that".

TechCrunch

For L. loa, Fletcher's team then created software that, by analyzing a 5-second video recorded through the microscope, could detect that wiggling motion and calculate a concentration of parasites in the blood.

Science Magazine

Rais idolized her, and perhaps the highest praise he could offer was that no one could detect that three of her eight children weren't really hers: they belonged to her husband's first wife, who had left prematurely for heaven.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

If there was a feedback loop, they could immediately detect that fraud," he says.

TechCrunch

We could only detect that money differentially influenced reaction times in both groups, with slower RTs in ADHD children and faster RTs in healthy controls under financial reinforcement.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

The metrics in this study were chosen because they could be assessed in a large cohort of people with MS, and thus, it is possible that different measures could detect changes that could not be assessed here.

Plosone

It could detect mutations that had been previously identified, but it couldn't uncover new ones.

MIT Technology Review

By beaming X-rays at the very chill ice as it swapped densities, "we could detect diffusion that is only possible in a liquid state," Nilsson said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could detect that" when you want to express the ability to identify or notice something, often implying a degree of effort or technological capability. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid pairing "could detect that" with weak or redundant verbs. Instead of "could clearly detect that", simply use "could detect that" to maintain conciseness and impact. Ensure that the verb used to describe the way something is detected adds value, otherwise the sentence will appear weak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could detect that" functions as a verb phrase expressing the ability or capacity to identify or notice something. It often implies a level of technological capability or sensory acuity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could detect that" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that expresses the ability to identify or notice something, often implying a certain level of capability or sensitivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and academia. Its primary communicative purpose is to convey the potential or realized ability to perceive or identify something, and the register is generally neutral. While "was able to discern that" and "was capable of sensing that" offer alternative ways to express detection, it's important to avoid overuse with weak verbs and ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to for improved clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could sense that

A more general and intuitive way of saying "could detect that".

could perceive that

Suggests a conscious or sensory awareness of something.

was capable of sensing that

Focuses on the ability to perceive something, often through senses or instruments.

was able to discern that

Emphasizes a more intellectual or perceptive form of detection.

was designed to pick up on that

Highlights the intention and ability of a system to detect something specific.

managed to identify that

Highlights the successful effort in pinpointing something specific.

could ascertain that

Implies a more formal or investigative process of finding something out.

was equipped to discover that

Focuses on the tools or resources available for detection.

had the capacity to recognize that

Highlights the inherent ability to identify a pattern or feature.

was in a position to observe that

Focuses on having the right circumstances for making an observation.

FAQs

How can I use "could detect that" in a sentence?

Use "could detect that" to indicate the ability to identify or notice something. For example, "The sensors "could detect that" the temperature was rising".

What are some alternatives to "could detect that"?

Alternatives include "was able to discern that", "was capable of sensing that", or "managed to identify that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "could detect that" formal or informal?

"Could detect that" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific wording of the surrounding sentences might influence the overall tone.

What does "could detect that" imply about the process of detection?

It generally implies that some level of capability or sensitivity was required to identify or notice something. It may also suggest the use of a specific instrument or method.