to be discerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be discerned" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something can or should be noticed or distinguished. It can also imply that something is not immediately obvious and may require a closer examination. Example: The subtle differences between the two paintings can only be discerned by a trained eye.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His inner agonies have to be discerned and teased out.

The Guardian - Film

A truth that was still out there, waiting to be discerned?

The New Yorker

New York's ever-changing streetscape usually changes at a pace too slow to be discerned.

The New York Times

The note is too crumpled, in short, for its true value to be discerned.

The Economist

Literary biographies flourished, with no set pattern to be discerned among them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most linguists dispute that classification, saying languages change too fast to allow any very ancient relationships to be discerned.

The New York Times

Capital, my friend! and I may add that they are almost as hard to be discerned as the gods.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But those patterns have to be discerned, and their stories shaped before they can have an impact.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

By contrast Mr Gandhi's rally in Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh, garnered relatively little attention.What is to be discerned from this?

The Economist

For the average Australian, a vast grassy plain is just a sea of grass: there are no patterns to be discerned, nothing to orient oneself with.

The Guardian

Their semifinished products, in which the artistic process was fully revealed and the subject matter had to be discerned by the viewer, suggested a Daoist philosophical skepticism.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be discerned" when you want to emphasize the effort or skill needed to notice or understand something. For instance, 'The subtle nuances of the argument are to be discerned through careful analysis.'

Common error

Avoid using "to be discerned" in situations where simpler words like 'seen' or 'noticed' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be discerned" functions as a passive infinitive, often used to indicate that something requires careful observation, analysis, or investigation in order to be understood or noticed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be discerned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI indicates its common function is to emphasize that something requires effort to notice or understand. It's most often found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, signaling a formal and precise tone. When writing, remember that simpler alternatives may be appropriate in less formal situations. Understanding these nuances will allow you to effectively use "to be discerned" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be detected

Replaces "discerned" with "detected", focusing on the act of discovering something's presence.

to be identified

Substitutes "discerned" with "identified", emphasizing the recognition of something specific.

to be ascertained

Replaces "discerned" with "ascertained", suggesting a more formal or investigative discovery process.

to be recognized

Substitutes "discerned" with "recognized", emphasizing a prior knowledge or familiarity that allows for easier identification.

to be perceived

Replaces "discerned" with "perceived", highlighting the sensory or cognitive awareness of something.

to be understood

Replaces "discerned" with "understood", emphasizing the comprehension of something's meaning or nature.

to be revealed

Substitutes "discerned" with "revealed", implying a process of uncovering something previously hidden.

to be uncovered

Replaces "discerned" with "uncovered", emphasizing the act of bringing something to light.

to be distinguished

Substitutes "discerned" with "distinguished", focusing on the act of differentiating between multiple possibilities.

to be appreciated

Replaces "discerned" with "appreciated", emphasizing the understanding and valuing of something's qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "to be discerned" in a sentence?

Use "to be discerned" when referring to something that is not immediately obvious and requires careful observation or analysis. For example, "The underlying patterns are to be discerned through statistical analysis."

What can I say instead of "to be discerned"?

You can use alternatives like "to be detected", "to be identified", or "to be recognized" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "to be discerned" or "to discern"?

"To discern" is the infinitive form of the verb, while "to be discerned" is the passive infinitive. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the object of the action. For example, "It is important to discern the truth" versus "The truth is to be discerned."

What's the difference between "to be discerned" and "to be perceived"?

"To be discerned" implies that something requires effort or skill to notice or understand, while "to be perceived" simply means that something is capable of being sensed or noticed. Discernment involves a deeper level of understanding than mere perception.