establish the extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish the extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the scope or range of something, such as a study, project, or issue. Example: "The researchers aimed to establish the extent of the environmental impact caused by the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Investigators have yet to establish the extent of the engine failure that caused the flame.

The New York Times

It was devised to establish the extent of the drug culture in baseball.

The New York Times

Before she leaves, she'll have an echocardiogram, to establish the extent of the damage.

The New Yorker

Police said they were still trying to establish the extent to which the attacks might have been coordinated.

The Guardian

The mission: to establish the extent of the damage the 75-year-old painting has sustained during its turbulent life.

Independent

"This development underlines the importance of the government's ongoing investigation to establish the extent to which defeat devices have been used".

The Guardian - Business

There would also be a common approach to dealing with scams and collection of data to establish the extent of the fraud.

The Guardian - Money

Before the first round of this event he revealed the extent of the testing he had undergone in a bid to establish the extent of such issues.

The Guardian - Sport

Danny has come off with a potential hamstring problem but we will take 24 hours to establish the extent of that".

Independent

The Pentagon said it is working to establish the extent of the breach.

BBC

In addition, solution times are compared to establish the extent of computational cost savings.

Journal of Energy Storage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish the extent", clearly define what you are measuring. For instance, "establish the extent of the damage" is more precise than simply "establish the extent".

Common error

Avoid using "establish the extent" in overly broad contexts. Instead of saying "We need to establish the extent of the problem", specify which aspects of the problem you are trying to understand, such as "We need to establish the extent of the financial impact of the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish the extent" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action to define or ascertain the scope, degree, or boundaries of something. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish the extent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the process of determining the scope, range, or magnitude of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "determine the scope" or "assess the magnitude" can be considered based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the scope

Focuses on defining the boundaries or limits, similar to establishing the extent.

assess the magnitude

Emphasizes evaluating the size or importance, akin to understanding the extent.

evaluate the reach

Highlights the range or influence, comparable to establishing the extent of impact.

ascertain the limits

Concentrates on identifying boundaries or restrictions, much like defining the extent.

define the boundaries

Specifically aims to delineate the borders or confines, similar to determining the extent.

investigate the scale

Implies a deeper examination of the size or scope, similar to establishing the extent through research.

measure the impact

Focuses on quantifying the effect or influence, related to understanding the extent of consequences.

clarify the degree

Aims to make the level or intensity clear, similar to establishing the extent of something's severity.

gauge the depth

Implies measuring how profound or intense something is, akin to establishing the extent of its influence.

comprehend the breadth

Focuses on understanding the width or scope, similar to establishing the overall extent of something.

FAQs

How can I use "establish the extent" in a sentence?

You can use "establish the extent" to describe the process of determining the size, amount, or degree of something. For example, "The investigation aimed to "establish the extent" of the fraud."

What's the difference between "determine the extent" and ""establish the extent""?

While both phrases are similar, "determine the extent" often implies a more definitive and conclusive finding, whereas ""establish the extent"" can refer to the process of finding out or clarifying the degree or scope.

Are there any formal alternatives to ""establish the extent""?

Yes, you could use phrases like "ascertain the magnitude" or "quantify the impact" in more formal or scientific contexts.

Is it correct to say "establish to the extent" instead of ""establish the extent""?

No, "establish to the extent" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""establish the extent"". You might use "to the extent" in a different sentence structure, but not directly after "establish".