to discern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to discern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the ability to perceive, recognize, or distinguish something clearly. Example: "It is important to discern the differences between the two theories before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other demographic patterns are harder to discern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The reasons are not hard to discern.

The Economist

Police are trying to discern what happened.

The New York Times

It's not immediately easy to discern.

The New Yorker

They are going to discern.

The New York Times

Moore's contribution is hard to discern.

The New York Times - Books

How to discern old from reissued?

The New York Times

But it's not easy to discern.

The New York Times

Whether she does is hard to discern.

The New York Times

That ambition is not difficult to discern.

The Guardian - Business

Obama's logic is not hard to discern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to discern" when you want to emphasize the act of careful observation or thought in order to understand something that is not immediately obvious. For example, "It is important to discern the underlying motives behind their actions."

Common error

Avoid using "to discern" when a simpler verb like "to see" or "to notice" would suffice. "To discern" implies a degree of difficulty or subtlety in the perception, so it's inappropriate for straightforward observations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to discern" functions as an infinitive, often used as part of a verb phrase to express the action of perceiving, recognizing, or understanding something, especially something subtle or difficult to detect. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts requiring careful observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to discern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the action of perceiving or understanding something subtle. As indicated by Ludwig, it's widely employed across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase is correct, it's best used when emphasizing careful observation, ensuring it aligns with the intended nuance. Alternatives such as "to perceive" or "to distinguish" can provide suitable substitutions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to perceive

Focuses more on the act of becoming aware through the senses or mind.

to distinguish

Emphasizes the ability to recognize differences between things.

to differentiate

Highlights the process of identifying distinct characteristics.

to recognize

Stresses the act of knowing something previously unknown or forgotten.

to understand

Focuses on grasping the meaning or significance of something.

to comprehend

Suggests a thorough and complete understanding.

to detect

Implies discovering something not easily noticed.

to ascertain

Suggests finding something out for certain.

to figure out

An informal way of saying to find a solution to a problem or question.

to make out

Emphasizes effort in understanding something.

FAQs

How to use "to discern" in a sentence?

You can use "to discern" when you want to express the act of perceiving or recognizing something that might not be obvious. For example, "It's often difficult "to discern" someone's true intentions."

What can I say instead of "to discern"?

You can use alternatives like "to perceive", "to distinguish", or "to differentiate" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "to discern" or "to discriminate"?

While both words relate to recognizing differences, ""to discern"" generally means to perceive or recognize something subtle, while "to discriminate" often implies making a distinction, sometimes with a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "to discern" and "to understand"?

"To discern" implies a more active and careful process of perception to gain clarity, while "to understand" suggests a broader comprehension or grasp of something.