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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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discarded to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discarded to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate something that has been thrown away or set aside, but the preposition "to" is not appropriate in this context. Example: "The old documents were discarded."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Footstones are routinely removed and discarded to make mowing easier.

News & Media

The New York Times

Objects are part of churn; before long they are discarded to make way for the new.

After 30 min, the supernatant was discarded to get WPIs.  .

The deployed pellet is then discarded to regain the fresh bare sensor surface.

The first recording sweep on all recordings was discarded to avoid contamination by initial startle responses.

The first 5 volumes of each session were discarded to account for T1 saturation effects.

The first 20 ml were discarded to decrease potential seawater contamination during sampling.

The first four volumes of each run were discarded to avoid saturation effects.

JPEG compression is lossy in that some information is discarded to reduce file size.

However, the first 60s of simulation are discarded to get more accurate node movements.

Meanwhile, the adjustment process of HS algorithm has been discarded to make the proposed routing algorithm containing less parameters.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the disposal of an item, use the simple past tense of "discard" (discarded) followed by a preposition indicating location or means, such as "discarded in" or "discarded after use" rather than using the less common "discarded to".

Common error

Avoid using "discarded to" when you mean simply "discarded". While "discarded" means to get rid of something, "discarded to" is often used incorrectly and can be easily avoided by revising the sentence. Instead of "The evidence was discarded to mislead the jury", try "The evidence was discarded in an attempt to mislead the jury".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discarded to" typically functions as part of a longer verb phrase, indicating that something was eliminated or removed for a particular reason or purpose. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is often followed by an infinitive verb, specifying the goal of the discarding action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

89%

News & Media

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "discarded to" appears frequently, especially in scientific literature, it's not always the most grammatically sound choice. Ludwig AI highlights that it is often used in combination with an infinitive, indicating the purpose of the discarding action, but is often considered incorrect. To improve clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives such as "discarded in order to" or rephrasing the sentence to use "discarded" more directly. Always evaluate the context to ensure the chosen phrasing is both accurate and clear for the reader. The contexts where it's used are often the Science, News & Media and Formal & Business.

FAQs

How is "discarded to" typically used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "discarded to" is frequently used in process descriptions, often related to removing a substance or data point to achieve a specific outcome, such as isolating a particular component or improving data accuracy. For example, 'The supernatant was discarded to isolate the protein'.

Is "discarded to" grammatically correct in all contexts?

While "discarded to" appears in various texts, including scientific publications, it's not always the most grammatically sound choice. Often, it's more appropriate to use phrases like "discarded in order to" or "discarded to avoid" for better clarity. "Discarded" often implies a reason, which is clearer with other prepositions.

What are some alternatives to "discarded to" that might improve clarity?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "discarded in order to", "discarded to prevent", or simply rephrase the sentence to use "discarded" in a more direct manner. The best option depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When might "discarded to" be considered acceptable, even if not ideal?

In some technical or scientific contexts, "discarded to" might be used as a shorthand, especially when the intended meaning is clear from the surrounding text. However, for formal writing, it's generally better to opt for a more precise and grammatically conventional phrasing.

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: