find out the source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find out the source" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to discover or identify the origin of information or a particular item. Example: "Before making any claims, it's important to find out the source of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

How sophisticated is the U.S. arsenal possessed by the rebels?Find out the source of their weapons?Any Russian troops?

Los Angeles Times

— Anthony Mills (@AAMills) June 8, 2013 We also heard from: How sophisticated is the U.S. arsenal possessed by the rebels?Find out the source of their weapons?Any Russian troops?

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Bush said he was not pointing a finger at anyone, but that his campaign was trying to find out the source of the calls.

The New York Times

Mr. Haddow said that he and eLottery officials were angry about the letter and "furiously trying to find out the source of this".

The New York Times

"Lawrence strode on, dissembling any interest in the news," Dr. Kamen wrote, "but shortly afterward I heard that an investigation had been instituted to find out the source of the leak to me".

The New York Times

"I instructed a firm of private investigators to try to find out the source of these stories because I was extremely upset that my private family life had been invaded.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

She wrote two fairly routine and somewhat skeptical articles about the F.B.I.'s investigation into whether Dr. Steven Hatfill, a former Army scientist, was behind the 2001 anthrax attacks, and Dr. Hatfill is now trying to find out the sources of her articles as part of a privacy act claim he has brought against the government.

The New York Times

He said he hired the detectives to "try to find out the sources" that said that he had improperly claimed more than $20,000 in cleaning costs for his home 75 miles north of London, and a similar sum for gardening costs.

The New York Times

To find out the sources of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the groundwater, a combination of Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 − and SO4 2− is used (Ritchler et al. 1993).

Applied Water Science

The goal of this study is to find out the sources of this lack of comfort, in order to suggest guidelines that can enhance the performance of the MCS framework, without jeopardizing its advantages with respect to the traditional frameworks.

Applied Acoustics

Understanding of spatial distribution of biomass is a prerequisite to find out the sources and sinks of carbon (C) as a result of forest to degraded land and vice versa as well as their temporal variations (Yavaşli 2012).

Ecological Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find out the source", ensure that the context clearly indicates what information or item's origin you are trying to discover. Provide relevant details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "find out the source" when you actually mean to "find a resource". The source refers to the origin, while a resource is a means of support or help.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find out the source" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a verb phrase complement. It's typically used to express an action aimed at discovering the origin or cause of something. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples where the phrase is used in contexts related to investigations and inquiries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "find out the source" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase employed to discover the origin or cause of something. While Ludwig AI identifies it as valid, it's not overly frequent, appearing most commonly in news and media, scientific and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, make sure the context clearly indicates the information or item's origin you intend to discover. Alternative phrases, like "determine the origin", can add formality, and it's crucial to differentiate "source" from "resource" to avoid lexical confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trace to its source

Implies following a path back to the original point or cause.

determine the origin

Focuses on establishing the starting point or beginning of something, slightly more formal.

discover the reason behind

Concentrates on finding the explanation or justification for something.

identify the root cause

Emphasizes discovering the fundamental reason behind a problem or issue.

get to the bottom of

Indicates a thorough investigation to reveal the true facts of a situation, less formal.

ascertain the provenance

Highlights the history and origin of an object or idea, with a formal tone.

investigate the foundation

Highlights a systematic examination of the principles or basis of something.

uncover the basis

Suggests revealing the underlying foundation or support for something.

delve into the etymology

Refers to exploring the origin and historical development of a word.

establish the authorship

Focuses on determining who created or originated a particular work.

FAQs

How can I use "find out the source" in a sentence?

Use "find out the source" when you want to discover where something originated or from whom it came. For example, "Before sharing the news, I need to "verify the source"".

What's a more formal way to say "find out the source"?

A more formal alternative to "find out the source" is "determine the origin". This phrasing is suitable for academic or professional settings.

Is it always necessary to "find out the source" before trusting information?

While it's not always mandatory, "verifying the source" is a good practice to ensure the information's reliability, especially in sensitive or critical contexts.

What's the difference between "find out the source" and "identify the cause"?

"Find out the source" focuses on the origin of information or an item, while "identify the cause" is related to the reason behind an event or problem. They are not interchangeable.