trying to detect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to detect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to identify or discover something, often in contexts related to research, technology, or investigation. Example: "The scientists are trying to detect any signs of life on the distant planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I am trying to detect your accent.

The New Yorker

Several groups are currently trying to detect this signal.

The Guardian

"We're trying to detect small factories of these semisubmersibles," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Officials in Moscow have said that counterintelligence investigators are trying to detect spies for the United States.

The New York Times

For imported food, for instance, that means trying to detect tainted products during the production process rather than waiting until they enter the country.

The New York Times

Policy makers should stop wasting money trying to detect highly enriched uranium at the border and ports, and instead accelerate efforts to eliminate the source of the threat.

The New York Times

She kept her eye discreetly trained on him, trying to detect a change, any indication at all that he might be nervous about something.

The New Yorker

And if you're trying to detect the slightest tear in my eye, the smallest crack in my voice, you're wasting your time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the past two decades, colonoscopies have become the preferred method for trying to detect and remove cancers and precancerous polyps in the colon.

The New York Times

To that end NASA, America's space agency, has been watching the sky since 1998, trying to detect any chunks of rock whose orbits bring them close to Earth.

The Economist

But in these times of trouble, a minister prepared to defend scientists could prove as elusive as the neutrinos they are trying to detect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a continuous or ongoing process, using the phrase "trying to detect" effectively conveys the sense of active effort and persistence. For example, "The team is trying to detect subtle changes in the data."

Common error

While "trying to detect" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Vary your language by using alternatives like "attempting to identify" or "seeking to uncover" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to detect" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun that describes an action. It typically serves as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to detect" is a versatile and grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe an ongoing effort to identify or discover something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research and news reporting to everyday conversation. While "trying to detect" is widely accepted, varying your language with alternatives like "attempting to identify" or "seeking to uncover" can enhance the sophistication of your writing. The frequent usage across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC underscores its reliability and appropriateness in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to identify

Replaces "trying" with "attempting" and "detect" with "identify", offering a slightly more formal tone.

seeking to uncover

Emphasizes the act of revealing something hidden; "seeking" replaces "trying", and "uncover" replaces "detect".

endeavoring to find

Implies a more determined and effortful search; "endeavoring" replaces "trying", and "find" replaces "detect".

working to discover

Highlights the active process of finding something new; "working" replaces "trying", and "discover" replaces "detect".

aiming to discern

Suggests a focus on distinguishing or recognizing something; "aiming" replaces "trying", and "discern" replaces "detect".

in the process of detecting

Adds emphasis on the process rather than the intent. It's also a more verbose form.

making an effort to detect

Highlights the exertion of effort in the act of detection. It's a more explicit form.

searching for

A more general term for looking for something, less specific than "detecting".

investigating

Focuses on a systematic or formal examination; less about simple detection.

probing for

Implies a deeper, more investigative search; often used in scientific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to detect" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to detect" to describe an ongoing effort to identify or discover something, such as, "The researchers are trying to detect patterns in the data." It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "trying to detect"?

Alternatives include "attempting to identify", "seeking to uncover", or "working to discover", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "trying to detect" and "attempting to detect"?

The difference is minimal. "Attempting to detect" may sound slightly more formal, while "trying to detect" is more common in everyday language. Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same basic meaning.

When should I use "trying to detect" versus "successfully detecting"?

"Trying to detect" indicates an ongoing effort, where success is not yet guaranteed. "Successfully detecting" implies that the detection has already occurred. For example, "They are trying to detect the signal" versus "They were successful in detecting the signal".