to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of finding out or learning something new. Example: "Scientists are eager to discover new methods for renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Magic swords to discover.

The New York Times - Arts

It's very difficult to discover".

The New York Times

There's not much to discover.

The New Yorker

Shortcuts to discover.

The Guardian - Books

Ideas to discover?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A joy to discover.

The Guardian - Music

"I like to discover.

The New York Times - Style

To discover new objects".

The Guardian - Film

To discover themselves".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They must try to discover their mentality.

Independent

There's always something more to discover.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to discover" when you want to emphasize the process of finding something new or previously unknown, either through exploration, investigation, or chance encounter.

Common error

While "to discover" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise terms like "to determine", "to ascertain", or "to identify" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to discover" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As shown by Ludwig, it explains why someone is doing something, often involving exploration or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to discover" serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intent to find, learn, or reveal something previously unknown. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and general writing. While versatile, be mindful of using more precise terms in highly formal contexts. Alternatives include "in order to find", "seeking to learn", and "aiming to reveal". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and broad applicability, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to learn

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

in order to find

Emphasizes the intention or purpose behind seeking something.

with the intention of finding

Highlights the deliberate planning and aim to locate or learn something.

intending to explore

Focuses on thoroughly investigating or examining something.

so as to ascertain

More formal; focuses on establishing something with certainty.

for the purpose of uncovering

Similar to "in order to find" but with an emphasis on revealing something previously hidden.

in an effort to detect

Indicates a specific attempt to find or notice something.

aiming to reveal

Highlights the goal of making something known.

with a view to identifying

Suggests a careful and considered approach to recognizing something.

striving to unearth

Implies a more vigorous effort to bring something to light.

FAQs

How can I use "to discover" in a sentence?

You can use "to discover" in a sentence when you want to express the purpose of finding something new or previously unknown. For example: "Scientists conduct experiments "to discover" new treatments for diseases".

What are some alternatives to "to discover"?

Alternatives to "to discover" include phrases like "in order to find", "seeking to learn", or "aiming to reveal", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "to discover" or "to find out"?

"To discover" often implies a more significant or unexpected finding than "to find out". Use "to discover" when the finding involves something novel or previously unknown, while "to find out" is suitable for more routine information gathering.

What's the difference between "to discover" and "to invent"?

"To discover" means to find something that already exists but was previously unknown, while "to invent" means to create something entirely new. For instance, one might "to discover" a new species of plant, but "to invent" a new type of engine.