refine the method

USAGE SUMMARY

"refine the method" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that adjustments or improvements are needed to a method in order to make it more efficient or accurate. Example: "We need to refine the method if we want to achieve more reliable results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He went on to refine the method.

The New York Times

Leite is continuing to refine the method.

Harvard University

In this Letter, we refine the method using a mismatched array for the decoding process.

Stanford University

We still need to refine the method for making these models, and evaluate the results.

Cornell University

She continued to refine the method over the past few years, and was working on it to the very end.

Harvard University

Scientists are working to refine the method to limit the chances of false-positive or false-negative results.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But Mr. Owens has sought to refine the methods.

The New York Times

The Foundation Funds Committee continues to strive to enhance this resource, to improve our community outreach, and to refine the methods by which we evaluate our applicants.

Harvard University

Angrist has conducted numerous influential studies that refine the methods of research while producing policy evaluations, and Newey is a prominent econometrician.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nevertheless, this criticism has some legitimacy, the common sense reasoning community is sensitive to these criticisms, and is working to develop and refine the methods and criteria for evaluating this work.

SEP

GH drafted the protocol, searched for relevant studies and worked with the other authors to refine the methods.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refine the method", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific method is being improved. Be precise about the aspects of the method that require refinement to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "refine the method" in overly general contexts. Always specify which method is being refined and, if possible, the intended outcome of the refinement. For example, instead of saying "We need to refine the method", specify "We need to refine the data collection method to reduce bias".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refine the method" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates an action taken to improve or perfect a specific process. As Ludwig AI shows, this action is often discussed in academic papers and news articles alike.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refine the method" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies improving or perfecting a specific process or technique. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for formal contexts, including scientific research, academic discussions, and news reporting. It's important to use the phrase with specificity, clearly indicating which method is being refined. Alternatives such as "improve the method" or "enhance the method" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve the method

Focuses more broadly on making the method better, without necessarily implying precision.

enhance the method

Suggests an increase in the method's quality or effectiveness.

perfect the method

Implies reaching an ideal or flawless state of the method.

adjust the method

Indicates making small changes or corrections to the method.

tweak the method

Suggests minor adjustments for optimal performance.

modify the method

Highlights changes to the method, potentially for adaptation.

revise the method

Implies a more thorough review and alteration of the method.

optimize the method

Focuses on maximizing the method's efficiency or effectiveness.

hone the method

Suggests sharpening or focusing the method for better results.

develop the method further

Highlights extending the method beyond its current state.

FAQs

What does "refine the method" mean?

The phrase "refine the method" means to improve, perfect, or make more precise a particular process or technique. It implies making adjustments to achieve better results or greater efficiency.

How can I use "refine the method" in a sentence?

You can use "refine the method" in a sentence like this: "Scientists are working to "refine the method" to limit the chances of false-positive or false-negative results."

What are some alternatives to "refine the method"?

Some alternatives to "refine the method" include "improve the method", "enhance the method", or "perfect the method", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "refine the method" instead of "improve the method"?

"Refine the method" is more appropriate when you are making small, precise adjustments to an already functional method, whereas "improve the method" is a broader term that can refer to more significant changes.