to examine how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to examine how" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically signals the beginning of a clause or sentence that explains or details the process of examination or investigation. Example: The scientist conducted a series of experiments to examine how different levels of sunlight affected the growth of plants.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take some time to examine how your body feels.

The Washington Post

So we have to examine how we make these decisions….

The New York Times

This study sought to examine how interventions change during implementation.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

to examine how adolescent fathers experience recurring parenthood.

Midwifery

Another good activity is to examine how news relating to immigration is presented in the media.

The Guardian

The next step will be to examine how much of that bleached coral has died.

The Guardian

He also said he wanted to "examine how current environmental laws are enforced and implemented".

The New York Times

It also needs to examine how it deals with business partners in the media business.

The Guardian - Opinion

So it is instructive to examine how the railroad industry got back on its feet.

The New York Times

"We clearly support working with Customs to examine how to enhance supply-chain security".

The New York Times

The best way to gauge this is to examine how it has acted in the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to examine how", ensure that the subsequent clause clearly defines the scope and focus of the examination. This helps maintain clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to examine how" without a specific research question or hypothesis. A vague purpose can lead to unfocused analysis and weak conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to examine how" typically functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a clause explaining the method or process of examination. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to examine how" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce an investigation or analysis of a particular process or mechanism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized across various domains, particularly in scientific research, news reporting, and formal business communications. While highly versatile, clarity in defining the scope of the examination is crucial for effective usage. Alternatives such as "to investigate how" and "to analyze how" can be considered for nuanced variations in meaning. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively employ "to examine how" to convey their analytical intentions with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to investigate how

Focuses on a more in-depth and thorough inquiry.

to explore how

Suggests a broader and less structured approach to understanding.

to analyze how

Emphasizes a detailed and systematic examination.

to study how

Implies a more academic or scholarly investigation.

to determine how

Highlights the goal of finding out or establishing the method or process.

to assess how

Focuses on evaluating or judging the way something happens.

to understand how

Emphasizes gaining comprehension of a process or mechanism.

to ascertain how

Implies discovering something with certainty through investigation.

to scrutinize how

Suggests a very careful and critical examination.

to inspect how

Focuses on a close and detailed visual examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "to examine how" to introduce a clause that explains the method or process being investigated. For example, "The study aimed to examine how social media influences political opinions."

What are some alternatives to "to examine how"?

Alternatives include "to investigate how", "to analyze how", or "to explore how", depending on the context and the depth of inquiry.

Is it more formal to use "to examine how" or "to see how"?

"To examine how" is generally more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "to see how" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation.

Which is correct: "to examine how" or "examining how"?

Both can be correct, but they function differently. "To examine how" is an infinitive phrase that often introduces the purpose of an action. "Examining how" is a gerund phrase that can function as a subject or part of a continuous verb tense.