Coming to light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Coming to light" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to information or facts that have recently become known or revealed. An example is: "New evidence is coming to light in the investigation." Alternative expressions include "surfacing" and "emerging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other serious abuses are coming to light.

The New York Times

But abuses keep coming to light.

The New York Times

Millions are coming to light.

The Guardian

Something vile is gradually coming to light.

The Guardian - Books

And so more is coming to light".

The Guardian - Business

That's all just now coming to light.

The New Yorker

This information is actually just now coming to light.

Harvard University

That's a concern that's coming to light now.

Cornell University

But some details are already coming to light.

The New York Times

The scandal is widening, with more allegations coming to light.

The Economist

Anxious about the haunting realities of torture coming to light?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Coming to light" to emphasize the gradual revelation of information, especially after a period of obscurity or secrecy. It's suitable for contexts where new facts are gradually emerging.

Common error

Avoid using "Coming to light" when referring to immediate or sudden discoveries. The phrase implies a process, so it's less appropriate for instant revelations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Coming to light" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a continuous verb tense to indicate the ongoing process of something becoming known or revealed. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Coming to light" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the gradual revelation of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it emphasizes the process of discovery rather than a sudden revelation. Alternative phrases, such as ""being revealed"" or ""becoming apparent"", offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to use "Coming to light" when illustrating the gradual uncovering of facts over time, and avoid it for immediate disclosures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Being revealed

Focuses on the act of something being uncovered or made known.

Becoming apparent

Emphasizes the gradual understanding or realization of something.

Emerging

Highlights the process of something surfacing or becoming visible.

Being discovered

Focuses on the finding of something previously unknown or hidden.

Coming into view

Suggests something is becoming visible or noticeable.

Being disclosed

Highlights the act of making something officially known or public.

Being unveiled

Emphasizes the dramatic revealing of something previously concealed.

Coming to the surface

Focuses on the idea of something hidden now becoming visible or known.

Coming into the open

Indicates that something previously secret is now public knowledge.

Being exposed

Highlights the act of revealing something, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "Coming to light" in a sentence?

You can use "Coming to light" to describe a situation where information or facts are gradually being revealed. For example: "New evidence is "coming to light" in the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "Coming to light"?

Some alternatives to "Coming to light" include "being revealed", "becoming apparent", or "emerging", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "Coming to light" formal or informal?

"Coming to light" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news and factual reporting.

What's the difference between "Coming to light" and "Being discovered"?

"Coming to light" suggests a gradual process of something becoming known, while "being discovered" implies a specific instance of finding something that was previously unknown.