trying to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort or attempt to find out or learn something new. Example: "The researchers are trying to discover the underlying causes of the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm always trying to discover the future.

The Guardian - Music

And it is worthwhile trying to discover more such generalizations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Artists are trying to discover what life is about.

The Guardian

What is she trying to discover with her writing?

The New Yorker

They were all trying to discover the whereabouts of 15 caches.

The New York Times

"He is a pioneering spirit, out in the wilderness trying to discover new territory.

The New York Times - Arts

The experts are trying to discover if there are biological ways to increase or decrease optimism.

The New York Times

Instead she spent the next 15 years trying to discover her husband's fate.

The New York Times

The IRS is trying to discover the identities of more US clients.

Independent

It is still trying to discover the extent of the attack, its source and its motives.

Independent

Investigators are trying to discover the identities of the criminals whose cash was being laundered.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing completed actions or results, consider using "discovered" or "found" instead of "trying to discover", to convey that the search has been successful.

Common error

Be careful not to use overly verbose constructions like "in the process of trying to discover". Instead, streamline your sentence to simply "trying to discover" or, if appropriate, "attempting to discover".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to discover" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a clause expressing an action or state. It describes the process of attempting to find something new or unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trying to discover" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that conveys an ongoing effort to find or learn something new. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It is versatile enough for use across various contexts, though more formal alternatives might suit specific professional settings. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, this phrase effectively communicates the active pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Remember to avoid redundant phrasing and consider using synonyms like "seeking to uncover" or "attempting to ascertain" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to ascertain

Replaces "trying" with "attempting" and "discover" with "ascertain", both synonyms suggesting a formal and deliberate effort to find something out.

seeking to uncover

Substitutes "trying" with "seeking" and "discover" with "uncover", implying a focused effort to reveal something hidden.

endeavoring to find

Replaces "trying" with "endeavoring" and "discover" with "find", indicating a serious and determined attempt to locate something.

working to reveal

Focuses on the action of "revealing" rather than "discovering", suggesting an active effort to make something known.

striving to identify

Replaces "discover" with "identify", emphasizing the goal of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

exploring to learn

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the search, suggesting a journey or investigation to gain knowledge.

probing to understand

Highlights the depth of the investigation, implying a careful and thorough examination to achieve understanding.

researching to determine

Specifically uses "researching" to highlight a scientific approach to discovery, aiming to establish something definitively.

investigating to expose

Suggests a more critical or investigative approach, with the goal of bringing something to light, often something concealed or negative.

aiming to detect

Replaces "discover" with "detect", suggesting an effort to find something subtle or hidden, often through careful observation or specialized tools.

FAQs

What does "trying to discover" mean?

The phrase "trying to discover" means making an effort to find out or learn something new. It implies an active process of investigation or exploration.

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

You can use alternatives like "attempting to ascertain", "seeking to uncover", or "endeavoring to find" depending on the context.

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

You can use "trying to discover" in a sentence to describe an ongoing effort to learn or find something. For example: "The researchers are trying to discover a cure for the disease."

Is "trying to discover" formal or informal?

"Trying to discover" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "attempting to ascertain" might be preferable in certain professional or academic settings.