They discovered that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They discovered that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a finding or realization that has been made by a group of people. Example: "They discovered that the new treatment significantly improved patient outcomes in clinical trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They discovered that vaccinia produces two proteins right after it infects a cell.

Science Magazine

They discovered that our President is small.

The New Yorker

"They discovered that smiling makes money".

The New York Times

They discovered that by doing so they remained healthier.

The Economist

They discovered that it is a helper gene.

The New York Times - Health

They discovered that savvy passengers began using the information.

The New York Times

They discovered that the gelding had broken a tooth.

The New York Times - Sports

They discovered that their suspicions about the genes were correct.

The New York Times

They discovered that they walked the same way, with their toes pointing in.

The New Yorker

They discovered that the Pentagon is not able to account for its own spending.

The New York Times

"They discovered that I was mortal…though I hope to prove them wrong," he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "They found that" or "It was discovered that" to vary your writing and avoid repetition, while still maintaining clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "discovered" when you mean "invented". "Discover" implies finding something that already exists, while "invent" refers to creating something new. For example, you discover a new species of insect; you invent a new type of mousetrap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They discovered that" functions as a declarative clause introducer. It signals the beginning of a statement that reports a finding, realization, or conclusion reached by a group. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "They discovered that" is a grammatically correct and very common way to introduce a finding or realization, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is primarily used in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, it's important to use "discovered" accurately, distinguishing it from "invented", and to be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate tone and formality. The available examples in Ludwig showcase the phrase's broad applicability and the advice to use alternative phrases for variety is important to keep in mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They found that

Uses the verb "found" instead of "discovered", offering a slightly less formal tone.

It was discovered that

Employs a passive voice construction, shifting the focus away from the actors.

Their investigation revealed that

Replaces "discovered" with "revealed", emphasizing the investigative process.

They ascertained that

Uses the more formal verb "ascertained", indicating a confirmed finding.

What they discovered was that

Adds emphasis by fronting the discovery with "What they discovered was".

Through their research, they learned that

Highlights the research process leading to the finding.

The study showed that

Focuses on the study as the source of the discovery.

Upon examination, they realized that

Replaces "discovered" with "realized", emphasizing the moment of understanding.

After analysis, it became clear that

Emphasizes the analytical process leading to the finding and uses a passive voice.

As a result of their efforts, they understood that

Highlights the effort expended in reaching the understanding.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "They discovered that"?

You can use alternatives like "they found that", "it was discovered that", or "their investigation revealed that depending on the context.

Is "They discovered that" formal or informal?

"They discovered that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality of the surrounding language will influence the overall tone.

How does "They discovered that" differ from "They assumed that"?

"They discovered that" implies a finding based on evidence or investigation, whereas "They assumed that" suggests a belief held without concrete proof. Discovery indicates knowledge gained; assumption indicates a presupposition.

Can "They discovered that" be used to introduce an already known fact?

While grammatically correct, using "They discovered that" to introduce a widely known fact can sound odd. It's more appropriate when presenting a new or previously unknown piece of information that someone has uncovered. Consider alternatives such as "As is known" or "It is established" for common knowledge.