tried to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort to find out or learn something new. Example: "The scientist tried to discover the underlying causes of the disease through extensive research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Journalist Alex Frankel tried to discover why.

University of California, Berkeley

They should have tried to discover the truth".

The New York Times

If it hadn't worked out, maybe I'd have tried to discover planets or cure cancer.

Independent

He tried to discover, as far as he was able, the truth about himself.

The Guardian - Books

He, like us, must have wondered why and tried to discover if it was political".

The Guardian

We dissected the colours that would be used in the tapestry, tried to discover their essence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Women's studies researchers tried to discover in it the mentality of a female perpetrator.

The New Yorker

The single phone line on Ebon became a battleground, as reporters tried to discover tantalising details.

The Guardian

Two thousand four hundred years ago, one man tried to discover the meaning of life.

The Guardian - Books

As doctors tried to discover the cause, she struggled with the consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

His traveling companions arrived in London and for several days tried to discover what had happened to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tried to discover" when you want to emphasize an effort to find or learn something, especially when the outcome was uncertain. For example, "The researchers "tried to discover" the cause of the illness."

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "tried to discover" can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider stronger verbs like "investigated", "ascertained", or "explored" to add nuance and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to discover" functions as a verb phrase indicating an attempt to find or learn something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly used in various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in news, academic, and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tried to discover" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe attempts to uncover information or gain understanding. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's widely employed across various writing styles, from news reports to academic papers. While frequently used, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "attempted to discover" or "sought to uncover" can enhance your writing. The phrase’s neutrality makes it appropriate for numerous contexts, emphasizing the effort involved in seeking knowledge. The frequency analysis highlights its prevalence in “News & Media”, “Academia”, and “Science”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to discover

Replaces "tried" with a more formal synonym, "attempted".

strived to learn

Replaces "tried" with "strived," emphasizing a greater level of effort and determination.

sought to uncover

Uses "sought" for a more literary tone and "uncover" to emphasize revealing something hidden.

made an effort to find out

Replaces the original phrase with a more descriptive and less direct expression.

aimed to ascertain

Uses "aimed" to denote intention and "ascertain" to emphasize establishing something definitively.

endeavored to ascertain

Employs "endeavored" and "ascertain" for a highly formal and precise effect.

undertook to learn

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal and descriptive expression.

explored to identify

Uses "explored" to suggest a broad search and "identify" for a specific finding.

investigated to reveal

Uses "investigated" to highlight a systematic inquiry and "reveal" to suggest bringing something to light.

worked to unearth

Employs "worked" to convey effort and "unearth" to suggest digging up information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "tried to discover"?

You can use alternatives like "attempted to discover", "sought to uncover", or "endeavored to ascertain" depending on the context.

How to use "tried to discover" in a sentence?

Use "tried to discover" to describe an attempt to find out or learn something. For instance, "The detective "tried to discover" the truth behind the crime."

Which is correct, "tried to discover" or "tried discovering"?

"Tried to discover" is generally preferred when indicating an attempt to find something out. "Tried discovering" implies experimenting or testing as a method, which has a different meaning. For instance, "He "tried to discover" the solution to the problem" versus "He "tried discovering" different approaches to solve the problem".

What's the difference between "tried to discover" and "tried to find out"?

"Tried to discover" often implies a more in-depth or complex investigation, while "tried to find out" is a more general expression for seeking information. The phrase "tried to discover" suggests some degree of effort or dedication.