discern by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discern by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to perceive or recognize something through a specific method or means. Example: "You can discern by examining the details closely whether the information is accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Earlier this week No 10 declined a request from the Guardian to publish his recent meetings with media owners in tandem with the arrival of the Leveson report, but his contacts (and those of other ministers) will be published some time early in the new year, by which time it may be possible to discern by whom pressure has been applied.

The Guardian

Calcite may be present as filler but its presence is impossible to discern by XRF from the aforementioned calcium phosphate.

Heritage Science

Many of the changes he sees are less than twofold and thus difficult to discern by qPCR.

Science Magazine

The more Λ deviates from the value predicted by quantum physics, the easier it will be to discern by measuring the wave-packet expansion.

EPJ Quantum Technology

What is the specialized configuration of information space utilized by neoplastic cells that they can discern by virtue of their unique observer/participant/status as an independent 'self'?

Clinical and Translational Medicine

At times when it is difficult to discern by ear between stops and their spirantized fricatives [cf. Ratte (2009, 2011)], acoustic spectrograms were used to assist in distinguishing the two, as the former contained a clear spike indicating the stop burst, while the latter did not (Fig. 4).

Lingua Sinica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

At this level of sharpness individual pixels cannot be discerned by the human eye.

Independent

Five other diffuse objects discerned by Hubble were definitely not gaseous nebulae.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Rosenfeld examined precipitation patterns discerned by instruments aboard an earth satellite launched in late 1997 to measure global rainfall.

The New York Times - Science

But he thought that the spiritual development of a people cannot be discerned by purely rational processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Techniques are a major part of the show, as can be discerned by its mildly punning title: "By All Means: Materials and Mood in Children's Book Illustration".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discern by", ensure that the method or means of discerning is clearly stated to provide context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "discern by" without specifying the means of discernment. For instance, instead of saying "It can be discerned by…", specify what is doing the discerning. A better formulation would be "It can be discerned by using specific instruments."

Linguistic Context

"Discern by" functions as a verb phrase indicating the method or means through which something is perceived or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, showcasing its role in specifying how discernment takes place, such as "discern by inspection" or "discern by measuring."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discern by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to perceive or recognize something through a specific method. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. It's important to clearly specify the means of discernment to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "identify using" and "determine through", offering alternative ways to express the process of understanding. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though its prevalence in technical and news contexts lends it a slightly more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish through

Focuses on the act of differentiating something using a specific method.

ascertain via

Highlights using a particular pathway or tool to determine something.

identify using

Emphasizes the process of recognizing something with a specific instrument or technique.

determine through

Indicates a method of resolution or confirmation by a particular means.

detect via

Suggests uncovering something through a certain channel or medium.

differentiate via

Highlights distinguishing between items through a particular mechanism.

recognize through

Focuses on identifying something using a specific sensory or cognitive method.

deduce from

Emphasizes drawing conclusions based on evidence or observations.

infer from

Stresses the process of deriving information or conclusions from given data.

perceive with

Indicates using a particular sense or instrument to become aware of something.

FAQs

How can I use "discern by" in a sentence?

You can use "discern by" to indicate the method through which something is understood or distinguished. For example, "You can "discern by" examining the details closely whether the information is accurate."

What phrases are similar to "discern by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "identify using", "detect via", or "determine through", each emphasizing the method of perception or differentiation.

Is "discern by" formal or informal?

"Discern by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in scientific and news-related content, suggesting a slightly more formal or technical tone.

Which is correct, "discern by" or "discern through"?

Both "discern by" and "discern through" are grammatically correct and usable. "Discern by" emphasizes the means or instrument used for discerning, while "discern through" highlights the medium or process through which discernment occurs.