undertake an experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake an experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of carrying out or conducting a scientific test or investigation. Example: "In order to validate our hypothesis, we decided to undertake an experiment to gather more data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With first semester just getting under way at most colleges, bringing with it the certain prospect of both academic and social pressure, The Times decided to undertake an experiment in quality control of the current offerings.

The New York Times

In 1944, The Times reported that the New York State Department of Health would undertake an experiment by fluoridating the city water supply in Newburgh to a level of one part per million and comparing its dental health with that of Kingston, where the water would remain fluoride-free.

The New York Times - Health

Gennady I. Lazarev, a prominent Vladivostok academic who is a proponent of the change, said in an interview that Russia should undertake an experiment, shifting the Far East closer to Moscow by one hour, waiting a year to allow people to adapt, then moving another hour closer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is no point in undertaking an experiment if you are already confident of the outcome.

The Guardian

Dr Ledbetter's Experiment Already a hit at the Dublin festival, this dark, gothic tale takes audiences into the mind of Dr Saul Ledbetter, who is undertaking an experiment in the anatomy theatre.

The Guardian

By a weird coincidence, 300 years earlier its land had been the home of the Diggers, a group of agrarian socialists undertaking an experiment in communal living, free from private property or commercial transactions.

The Guardian - Sport

I remembered that the judge had looked catatonic at the height of the courtroom drama and thought that by making a show of sticking to procedure she had unwittingly undertaken an experiment in changing her path.

The New York Times

Surrey Police undertook an experiment in which it reduced the number of detectives in a CID office and replaced them with more, lower-paid investigative assistants, with an outcome estimated to be a 30% increase in output and a 20% decrease in costs.

The Guardian

For those chartists whose response might be (and has been), "Let's see you do better," I would point out that beginning in 1990 the old pbs program Wall Street Week undertook an experiment in which ten Wall Streeters were asked to project the market for one-, three- and six-month periods.

Forbes

"The prison director at Fresnes is undertaking an experiment to see what happens in terms of conversions and security.

Vice

She undertakes an experiment to activate MysTech, apparently causing the destruction of Sunder.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undertake an experiment", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate and planned investigative process. This phrase is suitable for formal and scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake an experiment" in casual conversation or informal writing. Alternatives like "try out" or "do a test" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake an experiment" functions as a verb phrase, where "undertake" is the main verb indicating the action of starting or engaging in something, and "an experiment" is the direct object. It signifies the initiation of a planned scientific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undertake an experiment" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is generally used to describe the action of starting or conducting a scientific test or investigation and is most appropriate in formal and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "conduct a study" or "perform a test" exist, "undertake an experiment" conveys a deliberate and planned approach. While Ludwig's examples are somewhat limited, the phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific publications. It's advisable to use simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake a pilot study

Emphasizes the preliminary nature of the experiment.

conduct a study

Replaces "experiment" with "study", implying a broader or less controlled investigation.

perform a test

Uses "test" instead of "experiment", suggesting a more specific and focused evaluation.

carry out an investigation

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the activity.

implement an assessment

Suggests a formal evaluation process, often with specific criteria.

execute a trial

Implies a formal or structured test, often in a scientific or legal setting.

initiate an analysis

Focuses on examining data or information to gain insights.

launch a pilot project

Suggests a small-scale, preliminary experiment to assess feasibility.

embark on a research endeavor

Replaces "experiment" with "research endeavor", suggesting more academic and extensive investigation.

initiate a clinical trial

Specifies a medical experiment involving human subjects.

FAQs

How can I use "undertake an experiment" in a sentence?

You can use "undertake an experiment" to describe the action of starting or conducting a scientific test or investigation. For example, "The research team decided to "undertake an experiment" to validate their hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "undertake an experiment"?

Alternatives include "conduct a study", "perform a test", or "carry out an investigation". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "undertake an experiment" formal or informal?

"Undertake an experiment" is generally considered a formal phrase. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "do an experiment" or "try out a test" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "undertake an experiment" and "do an experiment"?

"Undertake an experiment" implies a more deliberate, planned, and formal approach compared to "do an experiment", which is more general and can be used in both formal and informal settings.