try to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to discover" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one is attempting or making an effort to uncover or find something. For example: - I will try to discover the mystery behind the strange occurrences in this old house. - The team of scientists is working tirelessly to try to discover a cure for this rare disease. - The detective spent months trying to discover the identity of the mysterious thief. - She suggested that we try to discover new and innovative ways to solve this problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must try to discover their mentality.

Independent

They should have secrets we don't try to discover.

The Guardian - Music

Alarmed, the multinational's managers try to discover what happened.

Harvard Business Review

And what we try to discover is has anybody else been called from that phone".

The Guardian

Elena continues to try to discover her own way in life, pursuing her intellectual development.

The New Yorker

Please try to discover and turn over members of Al Qaeda and get the cash award".

The New York Times

Also try to discover a physical activity you enjoy doing such as dancing, cycling or gardening.

The Guardian

You begin to grasp the problem when you try to discover who owns them.

The Guardian - Opinion

I try to discover interesting details, no matter where I am".

The Guardian

Taiwanese businessmen in Kunshan say officials they meet do not try to discover whether they support President Chen.

The Economist

The French state prosecutor in Albertville has opened an investigation to try to discover the cause of the accident.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to discover" when you want to express an active attempt to find or learn something new through exploration or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is doing the discovering. Instead of "An attempt was made to discover…", write "Researchers tried to discover…" to make the sentence more direct and active.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to discover" functions as an infinitive phrase, serving to express the purpose or intention behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates an effort to uncover or find something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to discover" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that expresses an intention or effort to find or learn something new. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various domains. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While the register remains neutral and suitable for various occasions, remember to keep your sentences active to avoid obscuring the doer of the action. Consider using alternatives like "seek to uncover" or "attempt to ascertain" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek to uncover

Emphasizes the investigative aspect of finding something hidden or previously unknown.

endeavor to find

Highlights the effort and determination involved in the search.

attempt to ascertain

Uses a more formal verb, "ascertain", to emphasize a focused effort to find something out.

explore to understand

Suggests an investigative approach aimed at achieving comprehension.

strive to reveal

Focuses on making something known or visible, suggesting an unveiling.

aim to identify

Indicates a goal-oriented search with a specific target in mind.

make an effort to detect

Replaces "try" with "make an effort" and "discover" with "detect", emphasizing the exertion and the act of noticing something.

venture to investigate

Implies a proactive and exploratory approach to uncover information.

work towards discerning

Emphasizes the process of careful observation and judgment to distinguish or recognize something.

undertake to learn

Shifts the focus to the process of gaining knowledge or understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to discover" to indicate an effort to find something new or previously unknown. For instance, "Scientists "try to discover" new treatments for diseases" or "Historians "try to discover" the truth about past events".

What are some alternatives to "try to discover"?

Alternatives include "attempt to ascertain", "seek to uncover", or "endeavor to find", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "try and discover" grammatically correct instead of "try to discover"?

While "try and discover" is sometimes used colloquially, "try to discover" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. "Try to" clearly expresses the intention or purpose of the action.

What is the difference between "try to discover" and "attempt to discover"?

"Try to discover" is a more general and common phrase, while "attempt to discover" ("attempt to discover") implies a more formal or deliberate effort. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.