discover a phenomenon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discover a phenomenon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of finding or identifying something that is observable or noteworthy in a scientific or academic context. Example: "The researchers were excited to discover a phenomenon that had never been documented before in their field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Local reporters camp daily outside the commission's imposing eight-story building here, where high-ranking businessmen, bureaucrats, bankers, governors, diplomats, lawmakers, prosecutors, police officials and other previously untouchable members of Indonesian society have been made to discover a phenomenon new to this country: the perp walk.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first breakthrough was discovering a phenomenon known as giant magnetoresistance.

The New York Times - Science

More than 30 years ago, he discovered a phenomenon that revolutionised the study of IQ and seemed finally to settle the argument over nature versus nurture.

The Guardian

For Dr Geim has shown that it demonstrates a characteristic never seen before in any material and one that challenges the fundamental laws of physics.In 1879, a physicist called Edwin Hall discovered a phenomenon now known as the Hall effect.

The Economist

Recently, Nutaro and Protopoopescu [18] and his co-workers discovered a phenomenon that the delay of phase and frequency in power systems can be explained by the classical swing equation and Kirchhoff equation.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

I came up with this hobby when I discovered a phenomenon I had not been aware of: romance scams.

Huffington Post

Okperuvwe had discovered a phenomenon that had already become apparent to prisoners, their family members, and correctional officers: since around 2008, a wave of African immigrants have taken jobs as prison guards in Texas.

Vice

While BAT shares a common origin with skeletal muscle [ 6, 7], studies in mouse WAT recently discovered a phenomenon called "browning" that involves the formation of brown adipocytes in WAT after cold exposure or β-adrenergic stimulation [ 36].

BMC Genomics

Furthermore, we discovered a phenomenon that adapting to specific environments calls for specific genetically modified proofreading elements, which may provide insights into understanding and application of evolutionary engineering for strain improvement.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

We also feel that the strength and impact of the manuscript is in its use of the squid-vibrio system to discover a new phenomenon of general importance (see Reviewer #1's first paragraph), rather than in using the phenomenon to describe something new about already extensively studied signals in this specific symbiosis.

eLife

In the same blink of an eye as it took us to discover radio waves can be sent through the air, we (and they) also discover a corollary phenomenon: perfectly good atoms ripped apart release lots of energy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discover a phenomenon", ensure that the phenomenon is clearly defined and its significance is explained to provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "discover a phenomenon" to describe trivial findings. Reserve this phrase for truly noteworthy or novel observations that have a broader impact or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discover a phenomenon" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "discover" is the transitive verb indicating the act of finding, and "a phenomenon" is the direct object, referring to a noteworthy or observable occurrence. The Ludwig AI tools indicate that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriately used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discover a phenomenon" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the identification of something noteworthy, particularly in scientific or academic contexts. While not highly frequent, as noted by Ludwig, it carries a formal and scientific tone, suitable for reporting significant observations or new findings. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define the phenomenon and explain its significance for maximum impact and clarity. Be mindful of overstating the importance of trivial findings and consider alternative phrasing for less formal settings. Based on data analyzed by Ludwig, most occurrences of this phrase are found in Scientific and News & Media publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify an occurrence

Replaces "phenomenon" with "occurrence", focusing on the simple fact of something taking place.

detect a trend

Shifts the focus to recognizing a pattern or tendency rather than a specific event.

recognize a pattern

Focuses on understanding and classifying an existing repeating sequence or regularity.

uncover a reality

Emphasizes revealing something previously hidden that is factual and true.

observe an anomaly

Highlights noticing something unusual or deviating from the norm.

ascertain a fact

Implies establishing a piece of information as definitely true or correct through investigation.

determine a property

Focuses on finding out a specific characteristic or attribute of something.

discover a mechanism

Focuses on the process or system by which something happens.

reveal an insight

Emphasizes uncovering a deeper understanding or truth about something.

find an effect

Highlights the action of noticing a result or consequence produced by a cause.

FAQs

How can I use "discover a phenomenon" in a scientific context?

In scientific writing, "discover a phenomenon" is used to describe the initial observation or identification of a new or previously unknown event, process, or characteristic. Ensure your description is clear and supported by evidence.

What's a good alternative to "discover a phenomenon" in less formal writing?

In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "notice a trend" or "observe something new" to convey a similar meaning without the scientific formality.

Is it always necessary to provide a detailed explanation when using "discover a phenomenon"?

While not always mandatory, providing context and explaining the significance of the phenomenon you've "discovered" greatly enhances the impact and clarity of your writing. This is especially important in academic and scientific writing.

What distinguishes "discover a phenomenon" from simply "making an observation"?

"Discover a phenomenon" implies a more in-depth understanding and often suggests the observation is novel or has significant implications. "Making an observation" is a more general term for noticing something.