find the source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find the source" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to locate the origin of information, data, or a reference. Example: "In order to verify the claims made in the article, we need to find the source of the statistics mentioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I looked around trying to find the source.

The New Yorker

"Let's hope they find the source of the Ehec virus".

The New York Times

Nero dispatched two centurions to try to find the source.

The New York Times - Books

They come to Kabbalah, and find the source of real fulfilment and happiness is internal".

The Guardian

The problem is that it's incredibly difficult to find the source of the bleeding.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were not able to find the source," Ms. Kelson said.

The New York Times

He has asked the state justice department to find the source with a view to prosecution.

The Guardian

Dr. Khaw said it was "critical" to find the source of the patient's infection.

The New York Times

ROCHLIN -- How did you find the source material for "The Pledge"?

The New York Times

In order to do that, we've got to find the source".

The New York Times

So she called a radon measurement and mitigation technician to find the source.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to investigate, use "find the source" to clearly indicate the goal of locating the origin or cause.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "source", which refers to the origin or cause, with "resource", which refers to a supply or support. For example, instead of saying "find the resource of the leak", use "find the source of the leak".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find the source" primarily functions as an imperative, directing someone to locate the origin or cause of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "find the source" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative phrase that directs the listener or reader to locate the origin or cause of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. It appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific research and general instructions. While alternatives like "identify the origin" or "determine the root" exist, "find the source" remains a straightforward and widely accepted choice for expressing the need to locate an origin.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify the origin

Focuses on pinpointing the exact starting point or beginning.

determine the root

Emphasizes uncovering the underlying cause or fundamental basis.

locate the origin

Similar to "find the source", but with a slightly more formal tone.

uncover the basis

Highlights the act of revealing or exposing the foundation of something.

discover the reason

Directly seeks the explanation or motive behind an event or situation.

trace to the origin

Implies a step-by-step investigation to reach the starting point.

detect the cause

Emphasizes the act of noticing or sensing the reason for something.

pinpoint the derivation

Focuses on identifying the exact point from which something originated or was derived.

ascertain the provenance

Highlights the act of establishing the history and origin of something, particularly in a formal or legal context.

investigate the etymology

Specifically refers to exploring the origin and historical development of a word.

FAQs

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

The phrase "find the source" is used to instruct someone to locate the origin or cause of something. For example, "Investigators need to "find the source" of the problem" or "We must "find the source" of the leak".

What are some alternatives to "find the source"?

You can use alternatives like "identify the origin", "determine the root", or "locate the origin" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "find the source"?

It's appropriate to use "find the source" when you need to locate the origin of information, a problem, an issue, or anything that requires investigation to determine its starting point or cause.

What is the difference between "find the source" and "identify the source"?

While "find the source" and "identify the source" are similar, "find the source" implies a more active search, whereas "identify the source" suggests a more passive recognition once the source is located. The difference is subtle.