detect trends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detect trends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of recognizing and observing patterns. For example, "The analyst used data-mining techniques to detect trends in the customer's buying behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A monitoring system has been designed to detect trends in time-series of commercial landings.

Fisheries Research

The ability to detect trends in population abundance is of obvious interest to wildlife managers.

Biological Conservation

San Francisco apparently is the only city that has applied the testing strategy in a series of years so as to detect trends, Dr. Katz said.

The New York Times

An analysis to detect trends in magnitude, frequency and timing of floods was conducted in Spain through nine flood indicators.

Journal of Hydrology

A pre-whitening procedure was applied to remove serial correlation and the Mann Kendall test selected to detect trends.

Journal of Hydrology

Less effort was required at higher sightings rates, and it was not possible to statistically detect trends of <30%.

Global Ecology and Conservation

Descriptive statistics and statistical analysis were used to detect trends in the modulation of kelp mechanical design.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

This study analysed satellite remote sensing (RS) data to detect trends in groundwater and linked ecosystem services.

Ecosystem Services

Few methods exist for monitoring wide-ranging species over large spatial and sufficiently long temporal scales to detect trends.

Biological Conservation

Techniques to detect trends in data and differences among tasks, conditions, or groups of participants are also described.

Beyond the Usability Lab Conducting Large-scale Online User Experience Studies

To present complex information to humans, we use visualizations that leverage our extraordinary perceptual system which can detect trends, clusters, gaps, and outliers almost instantly.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data analysis, use "detect trends" to emphasize the process of finding meaningful patterns over time, ensuring your analysis provides actionable insights.

Common error

Avoid mistaking temporary spikes or dips in data as representative of genuine long-term trends. Always validate observations with sufficient historical data and statistical rigor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detect trends" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of identifying patterns or tendencies in data or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct phrase. For example, “A monitoring system has been designed to detect trends in time-series of commercial landings.”

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "detect trends" is a versatile and correct verb phrase used to describe the process of identifying patterns in data or behavior. As Ludwig confirms, it's accepted for use in the English language. Its frequency is very common across various contexts, especially in science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it's essential to validate observations with sufficient data to avoid mistaking short-term fluctuations for genuine long-term trends. Alternative phrases include ""identify patterns"" or ""recognize tendencies"". Analyzing and understanding how it’s applied will ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify patterns

Focuses more on recognizing specific arrangements rather than general directions.

recognize tendencies

Highlights the ability to acknowledge emerging behaviors or directions.

spot emerging patterns

Implies a quicker, more perceptive recognition of new arrangements.

uncover inclinations

Suggests revealing underlying or hidden drifts in data or behavior.

discern shifts

Emphasizes the process of distinguishing notable changes or movements.

ascertain developments

Highlights confirming or establishing the progress of certain phenomena.

observe inclinations

Focuses on watching and noting the directional leanings or propensities.

monitor developments

Suggests an ongoing, controlled observation of how something is evolving.

gauge propensities

Involves estimating or evaluating the likelihood of certain directional behaviors.

ascertain drifts

Highlights the confirmation of gradual movements or changes in a particular direction.

FAQs

How can I use "detect trends" in a sentence?

You can use "detect trends" to describe the process of identifying patterns in data, such as "Analysts use statistical tools to "detect trends" in consumer behavior".

What can I say instead of "detect trends"?

Alternatives include "identify patterns", "recognize tendencies", or "spot emerging patterns" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What statistical methods are commonly used to "detect trends"?

Common methods include regression analysis, time series analysis, and the Mann-Kendall test, each suited for different types of data and trend characteristics.

How much data do I need to reliably "detect trends"?

The amount of data depends on the variability and effect size of the trend. Generally, longer timeframes and larger datasets increase the statistical power to "detect trends" accurately.