What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discerned
Example
She discerned a hint of sadness in his voice. [discerned: verb]
Example
The detective was able to discern the suspect's motive from the evidence. [discern: verb]
detect
Example
The security system was able to detect the intruder's presence. [detect: verb]
Example
The doctor was able to detect the early signs of the disease. [detect: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detect is more commonly used than discern in everyday language, especially in scientific or technical contexts. Discern is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between discerned and detect?
Discern is generally considered more formal than detect, and is often used in academic or literary writing. Detect is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
