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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
discerned about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "discerned about" is not correct and does not work in written English.
The verb "discern" typically does not pair with "about" in this context; it is usually followed by a direct object or used with "from" or "between." Example: "She discerned the truth from the evidence presented."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Encyclopedias
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
If the European presence created a veritable watershed in Indonesian history, it is to be discerned about 1870 (as opposed to 1511, which marked the establishment of a European base in the archipelago).
Encyclopedias
Mountains of snow, he observed, could be discerned about 75 mile further south.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"The consequence of having more citizens informed and connected is that they'll be as critical and discerning about rebels as they are about the government," the authors write.
News & Media
Be discerning about advice from others.
Wiki
He was discerning about whom to embrace, when and how.
News & Media
They're as discerning about the food they eat as the coffee they brew and drink.
News & Media
But they say they have gotten more discerning about whom they lend to.
News & Media
Mr. Gillespie suggested such behavior might indicate that millennials are in fact quite discerning about wine.
News & Media
"And Americans do not seem to be as discerning about quality".
News & Media
"Social media users have become really discerning about what they're seeing".
News & Media
This last job is particularly important in Japan, which is famously discerning about its produce.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "discerned about" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases such as "discerned from", "noticed regarding", or rephrase the sentence for clarity.
Common error
The verb "discern" does not typically pair with "about". It's more appropriate to use "discern from" to indicate distinguishing between things or to use other prepositions like "in" or "within" depending on the intended meaning.
Source & Trust
68%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "discerned about" attempts to function as a verb phrase, indicating an act of perceiving or understanding something in relation to something else. However, according to Ludwig, this combination is grammatically incorrect.
Frequent in
Encyclopedias
50%
Wiki
50%
News & Media
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "discerned about" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the verb "discern" does not typically combine with the preposition "about". It's more appropriate to use "discern from" or to rephrase the sentence using alternatives such as "noticed regarding" or "perceived concerning". The phrase appears rarely, primarily in encyclopedic and wiki contexts. Due to its incorrect grammar, it is advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more standard and precise alternatives.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
noticed regarding
Replaces "discerned" with "noticed" and "about" with "regarding", offering a more common phrasing for observation.
perceived concerning
Substitutes "discerned" with "perceived" and "about" with "concerning", providing a slightly more formal alternative.
detected in relation to
Employs "detected" instead of "discerned" and uses "in relation to" to replace "about", indicating a discovery within a specific context.
recognized concerning
Uses "recognized" in place of "discerned" and "concerning" instead of "about", suggesting an acknowledgment of something.
observed with respect to
Replaces "discerned" with "observed" and "about" with "with respect to", providing a more formal and detached observation.
identified regarding
Substitutes "discerned" with "identified" and "about" with "regarding", focusing on pinpointing something specific.
ascertained with reference to
Employs "ascertained" to replace "discerned" and uses "with reference to" instead of "about", indicating a confirmation through investigation.
determined in connection with
Replaces "discerned" with "determined" and "about" with "in connection with", emphasizing a conclusion reached about something.
distinguished concerning
Uses "distinguished" in place of "discerned" and "concerning" instead of "about", highlighting the act of differentiating something.
understood with regard to
Substitutes "discerned" with "understood" and "about" with "with regard to", suggesting a comprehension of something specific.
FAQs
Is "discerned about" grammatically correct?
No, "discerned about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "discern" typically takes a direct object or is used with prepositions like "from" or "between".
What prepositions can be used with "discern"?
Common prepositions used with "discern" include "from" (to distinguish one thing from another) and "between" (to recognize a difference between two or more things). Examples: "She discerned the truth from the lies", or "He could discern no difference between the twins".
What are some alternatives to "discerned about"?
Instead of "discerned about", you can use phrases like "noticed regarding", "perceived concerning", or rephrase the sentence to use "discern" with a direct object. For example: "She "noticed regarding" the change" or "She "perceived concerning" the situation".
How can I use "discern" correctly in a sentence?
To use "discern" correctly, ensure it is followed by a direct object or a suitable preposition like "from" or "between". For example: "He could discern the faint outline of a ship on the horizon" or "It was difficult to discern the truth from the misinformation".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
68%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested