detecting that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detecting that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of identifying or noticing something specific. Example: "The software is detecting that there is an error in the code."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is equivalent to detecting that, for every value of 0.9<c<1, there are volumes of significant size where the value of c is uniform.

Combustion and Flame

Note that if I were to walk into your room and flick the light off and on for 80 msec, you'd have no trouble detecting that — so this means that your brain is 'accounting' for the gap somehow.

The New Yorker

One such site, outside Qum, was revealed by President Obama and the leaders of France and Britain in 2009, though it appears that Israel played a major role in detecting that site.

The New York Times

As the sun dips toward the horizon, its light dims because it is traveling through denser air and because the sun's disk gets "squashed". By detecting that Triton's atmosphere had thickened, astronomers were able to deduce that the temperature of the ice on Triton's surface has increased.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Novel objects may be interesting for a number of reasons, e.g. for detecting that novel chemical grounds were hit.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"We believe in responsible metal detecting that abides by legal restrictions and ensures that any finds can be properly researched and recorded," he said.

BBC

Detecting that number of excess cancer cases in that population — in other words, spotting an uptick as a result of Chernobyl — would test the limits of epidemiological science because even the highest estimate is, relatively, so small.

Vice

The Australian electronica megastar, real name Nick Murphy, tweeted that SoundCloud issued him with one of its infamous takedown notices for detecting that "one of his tracks may contain copyrighted content".

Vice

Here we considered that a gene was expressed if any of the probes detecting that gene in the microarray was called as 'expressed' according to the Barcode method.

Genome Medicine

Furthermore, if reduced effective population size influences molecular rates in domesticates, we may have had difficulty detecting that signal when comparing a domesticate with a wild relative that has also experienced reduced effective population size.

Genome Biology and Evolution

But detecting that DNA in the stool is extremely difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "detecting that", ensure the subject clearly identifies the object or situation being detected. Clarity in sentence structure enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid embedding multiple clauses within a sentence using "detecting that". Simplify the sentence for better readability and impact. For example, instead of writing: "The system, after detecting that the anomaly was present, initiated a shutdown sequence that prevented further damage", try: "The system detected an anomaly and initiated a shutdown to prevent further damage".

Linguistic Context

Detecting that functions as a gerund phrase, often introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the discovery or identification of a particular fact or situation. As supported by Ludwig, it connects the act of detecting with the subsequent realization or action triggered by that detection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "detecting that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly introduces a subordinate clause indicating the identification of a fact or situation. It is primarily found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When writing, ensure clarity in sentence structure and avoid overcomplication. Alternatives such as "recognizing that" or "realizing that" can be used to vary the language. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for technical and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing that

Emphasizes acknowledging or being aware of something.

realizing that

Highlights the moment of becoming fully aware or understanding something.

identifying that

Focuses on pinpointing or establishing something specific.

noticing that

Implies a casual or observational awareness.

observing that

Suggests a more formal or scientific observation.

ascertaining that

Indicates a process of finding something out for certain.

determining that

Highlights the act of making a firm decision or conclusion.

finding that

Focuses on the act of discovering or coming across something.

becoming aware that

Highlights the process of gaining consciousness or knowledge.

understanding that

Emphasizes a comprehension or grasp of something.

FAQs

How can I use "detecting that" in a sentence?

"Detecting that" is used to introduce a clause that describes what was identified or noticed. For example: "The sensor is detecting that the temperature is rising".

What are some alternatives to "detecting that"?

You can use alternatives such as "recognizing that", "realizing that", or "identifying that" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "detecting that" and "finding that"?

"Detecting that" implies using a specific method or technology to notice something, while "finding that" suggests a more general discovery. For instance, a sensor detects, while a researcher finds.

When should I use "detecting that" instead of "noticing that"?

Use "detecting that" when the action of noticing something involves a deliberate or technical process. "Noticing that" is more appropriate for casual observations.