I unearthed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I unearthed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you discovered or found out something, often after some effort or investigation. Example: "After hours of research, I unearthed that the ancient civilization had a complex social structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I was thirty years old, digging in the loose soil of a new story, I unearthed that time, that first tragic thing I could remember happening, and wrote a story called "A Temporary Matter".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eventually, I unearthed a story that helped me to understand what the thing was, but the fact of his death was close to unbearable.

The New Yorker

"Both courts unanimously concluded that the facts I unearthed were the truth and that Dame Shirley Porter and David Weeks had lied to me in attempting to cover up their activities.

The Guardian

But Dahlia ate two bites and then locked her lips -- until, that is, I unearthed some hummus.

The New York Times

That said, I unearthed some great innovation stories, like the imaginative (and popular) subsidies Piraeus Bank was offering customers for everything from solar power to organic farming.

Huffington Post

Eventually, I unearthed portables from Apple, Fujitsu, NEC and WinBook that seem to offer everything.

The New York Times - Tech

Every new and abstruse piece of evidence that I unearthed caused me — along with my fictional protagonist, a British archaeologist — to keep digging.

The New York Times

My life in Sacramento was boxed up and put away long before my mother died in 2002, but it wasn't until 10 years after she passed that I unearthed any of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

With Jane Mayer, I co-authored a book, Strange Justice, which concluded, based on evidence we unearthed, that Hill was the truth-teller.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is called "Worst Whiskey Contest"; a brief journalistic investigation on opening night last week at the Bushwick Starr unearthed that the title comes from the quality of the alcohol (Philadelphia, $9.99 a liter, for those connoisseurs of economy out there).

The New York Times

Through his research, Simmons unearthed that these films cast black actors and actresses in both minor and major roles.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I unearthed that" when you want to emphasize that you discovered something after a period of searching or investigation. It adds a sense of discovery and effort to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I unearthed that" in everyday conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "I found out" or "I learned" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a tone of formality and discovery that might be out of place in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I unearthed that" functions as a statement introducing a piece of information that the speaker has discovered, often implying a deliberate search or investigation. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase conveys a sense of effort and discovery.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I unearthed that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey discovery after effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It leans toward a neutral to professional register, suitable for news and formal writing rather than casual conversation. While less frequent than alternatives like "I discovered that", it adds emphasis on the process of finding something hidden. Remember to use it when you want to underscore the effort you invested in uncovering particular information. Avoid overusing it in informal contexts, where simpler phrases would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I uncovered that

Synonymous and implies discovering something previously hidden.

I discovered that

More general term for finding something; lacks the implication of effort in "unearthed".

I dug up that

Similar to "unearthed" but less formal.

I found out that

A common way to express learning something, slightly less formal than "unearthed".

I learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, without necessarily implying active searching.

I ascertained that

More formal and implies a careful investigation to confirm something as true.

I determined that

Suggests a more conclusive finding after a process of consideration or analysis.

I revealed that

Highlights the act of making something known, often something previously hidden.

I exposed that

Suggests uncovering something negative or scandalous.

I brought to light that

Emphasizes making something known that was previously obscure or unknown.

FAQs

What does "I unearthed that" mean?

The phrase "I unearthed that" means that you discovered or found something, often after a period of searching or investigation. It implies a sense of uncovering something hidden or previously unknown.

What can I say instead of "I unearthed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "I discovered that", "I found out that", or "I learned that" depending on the context.

Is "I unearthed that" formal or informal?

"I unearthed that" leans towards the formal side, implying a deliberate effort in finding something. Simpler phrases like "I found out" are more informal.

When is it appropriate to use "I unearthed that"?

It's appropriate to use "I unearthed that" when you want to emphasize the effort involved in discovering something, particularly in writing or formal speech where a more descriptive and evocative phrase is desired.