to establish how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to establish how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of determining the method or manner in which something is done or understood. Example: "The research aims to establish how effective the new teaching methods are in improving student engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You also need to establish how to reach each supporter.

The Guardian

It is vital to establish how robust they are".

The Guardian - Business

The book includes pages of nonelectrifying courtroom transcript to establish how Mr. Priven was convicted.

The New York Times - Books

A post-mortem examination will take place on Thursday to establish how the child died.

The Guardian

We need to establish how we're going to operate in a gamelike situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The SFO investigators are now seeking to establish how that cash inflow was accounted for.

The Guardian - Business

No one has cared to establish how we are doing as a family.

The Guardian

The assessment will have to establish how much time is spent on these two functions.

The Guardian

"Steps need to be taken to establish how this has been allowed to happen.

The Guardian

And so, we're just trying to establish how much you want this job.

The New York Times

She has yet to establish how much her legal fees will cost.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to establish how", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are trying to determine or clarify. Be specific about the process, method, or reason you are seeking to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "to establish how" in overly complex sentences where simpler alternatives like "to determine" or "to find out" would improve clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to establish how" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a question or purpose. It is used to indicate the intent to discover or determine the manner in which something occurs. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to establish how" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote the process of determining or clarifying the manner in which something occurs. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and formal business communications. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for professional and academic writing. Common alternatives include "to determine how" and "to find out how". When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overcomplicating sentences to maintain readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine how

Replaces "establish" with "determine", focusing on the act of finding out.

to ascertain how

Uses "ascertain", suggesting a more formal and thorough investigation to discover how something happens.

to figure out how

Employs "figure out", which is more informal and implies problem-solving to understand a process.

to investigate how

Highlights the act of examining something methodically to discover how it works or occurred.

to find out how

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the discovery of a method or process.

to learn how

Focuses on gaining knowledge or understanding of a process or method.

to understand how

Emphasizes comprehension and gaining insight into a process or mechanism.

to clarify how

Stresses the act of making something clearer or more understandable.

to pinpoint how

Suggests identifying precisely the way something happens or works.

to resolve how

Implies solving a problem or question to understand the method or process involved.

FAQs

How can I use "to establish how" in a sentence?

Use "to establish how" when you want to describe the process of finding out the method, manner, or reason behind something. For instance, "Researchers are working to establish how the new drug affects the body."

What are some alternatives to "to establish how"?

You can use alternatives like "to determine how", "to find out how", or "to ascertain how" depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is "to establish how" formal or informal?

"To establish how" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. In more casual settings, phrases like "to figure out how" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "to establish how" and "to investigate how"?

"To establish how" implies finding out or determining a method or process, while "to investigate how" suggests a more formal and systematic inquiry to uncover the details of a particular event or phenomenon.