simply to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'simply to find' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an idea or activity that is straightforward or easy. For example, "If you're ever in need of directions, simply to find the nearest map."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surgery may be necessary simply to find the cause of the pain.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our goal is simply to find out anything and everything that may have happened".

The New York Times

On our first night in Berlin, our ambition was simply to find a late dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Until now, missions such as Nasa's Kepler Space Telescope have been designed simply to find planets.

The Guardian

What is needed simply to find lots and lots of these things is lots and lots of telescope time".

The New York Times - Science

Now, Mr. Rahr said, "he would never meet with people like me simply to find out what people think".

The New York Times

The idea is not simply to find out whether the chosen sample would wish to see this policy adopted.

The Economist

Back in Jerusalem for the unveiling of his father's monument, it takes Goldman two visits simply to find the grave.

The New York Times - Books

He said the CIA was mounting the operation simply to find out where the Iranians were with their nuclear programme.

The Guardian

General Ashraf's job is not simply to find more water, or to purify the water people now get.

The New York Times

The job of the point callers is simply to find the debtor, get him on the phone, and then transfer the call to either Vinny or Jimmy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "simply to find", ensure the context emphasizes the ease or straightforwardness of the action. It's best suited for situations where the process doesn't involve significant complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "simply to find" in situations where the process is inherently complex or requires significant effort. This can create a mismatch between the phrase's connotation of ease and the reality of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply to find" functions as an infinitive phrase of purpose, modifying a verb or clause by explaining the reason or objective behind an action. Ludwig shows its extensive use in indicating a basic intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simply to find" serves as a common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase expressing a straightforward purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. While its neutrality allows for flexible application, it's crucial to avoid using it in situations where the process is more complex than the phrase suggests. Alternatives like "merely to discover" or "just to locate" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Ultimately, understanding its function and appropriate usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to discover

Replaces "simply" with "merely", emphasizing the lack of complexity in the action of finding.

just to locate

Substitutes "simply" with "just" and "find" with "locate", keeping the meaning of a direct and uncomplicated search.

only to unearth

Uses "only" instead of "simply" and "unearth" in place of "find", suggesting a more thorough search but still with a basic intent.

plainly to detect

Employs "plainly" to replace "simply" and "detect" for "find", indicating an easily observable discovery.

easily to ascertain

Replaces "simply" with "easily" and "find" with "ascertain", suggesting the process is not difficult.

directly to retrieve

Uses "directly" instead of "simply" and "retrieve" for "find", highlighting a straight path to obtaining something.

fundamentally to seek

Substitutes "simply" with "fundamentally" and "find" with "seek", emphasizing the basic nature of the search.

basically to secure

Replaces "simply" with "basically" and "find" with "secure", focusing on the essential action of obtaining something.

primarily to come across

Uses "primarily" instead of "simply" and "come across" for "find", indicating the main purpose is discovery.

merely with the intention to find

Explains the intention to find something in a uncomplicated way.

FAQs

How can I use "simply to find" in a sentence?

You can use "simply to find" to describe an action where the objective is straightforward and easy to achieve. For instance, "The mission was "simply to find" the missing documents".

What are some alternatives to "simply to find"?

Alternatives include "merely to discover", "just to locate", or "only to unearth", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "simply to locating" instead of "simply to find"?

No, "simply to locating" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""simply to find"" where "find" is the base form of the verb.

What is the difference between "simply to find" and "easy to find"?

"Simply to find" describes the purpose or intention behind an action being straightforward. "Easy to find" describes the characteristic of something being readily discoverable. For example: "The goal was "simply to find" a solution", versus "The solution was easy to find".