discern that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'discern that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when one wishes to recognize or observe something with careful consideration. For example: After careful deliberation, I have been able to discern that this solution is the most appropriate for our current situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How did you discern that, and what is that figure?

Yale University

Coming closer, you discern that it is a painting.

The New Yorker

We analyze the dynamic quality of the oscillations and discern that they stem from chaos.

Chemical Engineering Science

Maybe they can discern that he hurts you in this way or that.

The New York Times

It would have been hard to discern that at the outset of the show.

The New York Times

It was easy to discern that he was close to a nervous breakdown".

The New Yorker

So you can discern that the person is reading an English text or a Portuguese text.

The New Yorker

He was quick to discern that women were ready to end the hegemony of dresses.

The New Yorker

"Patients quickly discern that researchers don't know if they are doing their paper diary," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Spend any time at all with Ms. O'Donnell, and you discern that she is not kidding.

The New York Times

But he acknowledged that not everyone might discern that message from the movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discern that" when you want to emphasize careful observation and thoughtful understanding, especially when the information isn't immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "discern that" for very obvious or straightforward situations. Opt for simpler words like "see", "notice", or "realize" when the observation doesn't require careful or insightful deduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discern that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates the act of perceiving or recognizing something, often with a degree of mental effort or insight. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts requiring careful observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discern that" is a versatile construction used to indicate understanding or recognition achieved through careful thought. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While semantically similar alternatives like "recognize that" and "realize that" exist, "discern that" uniquely emphasizes insightful observation. When writing, ensure its use is reserved for situations where understanding requires thoughtful deduction, as overusing it in simple scenarios can sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recognize that

Implies acknowledging something, often after a period of unawareness.

Realize that

Suggests a sudden awareness or understanding of something.

Understand that

Focuses on comprehending the meaning or implications of something.

Perceive that

Indicates an awareness gained through the senses or intuition.

Grasp that

Emphasizes the act of fully understanding something, often complex.

Comprehend that

Stresses thorough understanding and assimilation of information.

Gather that

Suggests inferring something from incomplete information or clues.

Deduce that

Implies reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning and analysis.

Infer that

Focuses on drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.

Conclude that

Indicates reaching a final judgment or decision based on available information.

FAQs

How to use "discern that" in a sentence?

Use "discern that" to indicate a careful or insightful understanding of something. For example, "After analyzing the data, the scientists could "discern that" a pattern was emerging."

What can I say instead of "discern that"?

You can use alternatives like "recognize that", "realize that", or "understand that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "discern that" or "determine that"?

"Discern that" implies a subtle or insightful understanding, while "determine that" suggests a more conclusive finding based on evidence. Choose the one that best fits the specific context. Both can be grammatically correct but have subtle difference in meaning.

What's the difference between "discern that" and "notice that"?

"Notice that" generally implies a simple observation, whereas ""discern that"" suggests a deeper level of understanding achieved through careful observation and analysis.