to test

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to test" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining or evaluating something to determine its quality, performance, or reliability. Example: "We need to test the new software before its official launch to ensure it functions properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're going to test.

The New York Times

Want to test me?

The New York Times

I wanted to test this.

The New York Times - Science

We are going to test.

The New York Times

That's something to test out.

The New York Times

Time to test the waters.

The Economist

Nothing to test my faith.

The New York Times - Sports

Just to test him.

The New York Times - Sports

Desires to test weapons?

The Guardian - Opinion

Natural thing to test.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"They push it just to test things".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to test", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated and the criteria for success or failure. Specify the object or system being tested and the expected outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "to test" without specifying what you are testing for. For example, instead of saying "We need to test it", specify "We need to test the software for bugs" to provide a clearer understanding of the purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to test" primarily functions as an infinitive, often acting as part of a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely usable. It indicates an action aimed at evaluating or examining something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

30%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to test" is a grammatically sound and versatile infinitive phrase used to express the act of evaluating or examining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across varied contexts, from academic research to everyday scenarios. It is suitable for a neutral register and is very common. The phrase most frequently appears in news and media, as well as on wiki-based websites. When using "to test", ensure you clearly specify what is being tested and the purpose of the test. Considering alternatives such as "to evaluate" or "to examine" can refine your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to evaluate

Focuses on assessing the value or quality of something, implying a more formal or comprehensive examination than simply "to test".

to examine

Implies a close and careful inspection, often to discover something or to diagnose a condition. Less about pass/fail, more about understanding.

to assess

Similar to "to evaluate", but often used in the context of determining the extent or significance of something.

to check

A more general term for verifying something, often quickly and simply, but can often replace to test

to verify

Emphasizes confirming the truth or accuracy of something, often against a standard or expectation. Highly interchangeable with "to test".

to probe

Suggests a deeper, more investigative form of testing, often involving asking questions or using specialized tools.

to investigate

Implies a systematic and thorough inquiry, often to uncover facts or solve a problem; broader in scope than testing.

to analyze

Focuses on breaking something down into its components to understand how they work together, often involving quantitative data.

to experiment with

Implies trying out different approaches or methods to see what works best, often in a creative or exploratory way. The meaning is almost the same, but here it's focused on active exploration.

to try out

A more informal way of saying "to test", suggesting a brief or preliminary examination.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to test" is commonly used to describe the act of evaluating something. For example, you might say, "The company plans "to test" the new software before its release".

What are some alternatives to "to test"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to evaluate", "to examine", or "to assess" as alternatives to "to test".

What is the difference between "to test" and "to experiment"?

"To test" implies evaluating against a known standard, while "to experiment" suggests trying something new to see what happens. The goal of "to experiment" is discovery, but the goal of "to test" is to evaluate.

Is "to test" formal or informal language?

"To test" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a neutral phrase widely understood and accepted in various types of communication. However, depending on the context, more specific words can be eventually used (e.g. "to assess", "to appraise" etc).