do an experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

"do an experiment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting that someone carries out a scientific experiment to learn more about a certain phenomenon or to test a hypothesis. For example: "Let's do an experiment to find out the effect of temperature on the growth of plants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Demonstrate it, do an experiment, prove it.

The New York Times - Books

CURT NICKISCH: We can do an experiment.

Harvard Business Review

I do an experiment with the class.

Harvard University

As for the rest of us, let's do an experiment and measure the outcome.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I would only do an experiment where I could involve the host," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

And I was fortunate enough to be able to do an experiment with this company.

Harvard Business Review

So the way that you do that is, you do an experiment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So you could do an experiment, then, on this line here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And so, he says, he tells patients, "You are here to do an experiment".

The New York Times - Health

I proposed that we do an experiment and move to a different neighborhood every month for a year.

The New York Times

So in principle, we can do an experiment like this one, where you can throw cherry pits against cherry pits.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proposing an experiment, clearly state the hypothesis or question you aim to answer. This provides context and purpose for the experimental design.

Common error

Avoid vague instructions when outlining an experiment. Be specific about variables, controls, and measurements to ensure reliable results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do an experiment" functions as a verb phrase, with "do" acting as the main verb and "an experiment" as the direct object. It expresses the action of performing a scientific or exploratory procedure, which is validated by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do an experiment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of carrying out a test or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, ranging from academic and scientific research to news and general media. While versatile, consider the context when selecting alternatives for stylistic precision. Whether suggesting a casual exploration or outlining a rigorous scientific procedure, understanding the nuances of its usage can greatly improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform a test

Uses "test" instead of "experiment", suggesting a more specific or focused procedure.

run a trial

Implies a controlled test, often used in scientific or medical contexts.

conduct a study

Replaces "experiment" with "study", implying a more formal or extensive investigation.

try out a method

Implies testing a particular approach or technique.

carry out an investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, suitable for scenarios beyond scientific experiments.

make a trial run

Suggests a preliminary test to check feasibility or identify issues.

undertake an analysis

Focuses on the analytical aspect, suitable for examining data or phenomena.

engage in research

Suggests a broader research activity, which may include experimentation.

execute a procedure

Highlights the methodical execution of a set of actions.

explore an approach

Focuses on the exploratory nature of the investigation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do an experiment" in a research context?

In a research context, you can use phrases like "conduct a study", "perform a test", or "carry out an investigation" for a more formal tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "do an experiment" in scientific writing?

While grammatically correct, "do an experiment" might sound informal for some scientific writing. Consider using more precise alternatives like "execute a procedure" or "run a trial" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "do an experiment" and "undertake an analysis"?

"Do an experiment" implies setting up a test to observe results, while "undertake an analysis" refers to examining existing data or information to draw conclusions. The former involves creating new data, the latter involves interpreting existing data.

How to use "do an experiment" in a sentence?

You can use "do an experiment" to suggest performing a test. For example, "Let's "do an experiment" to see if this new fertilizer improves plant growth."