as they discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they discover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs simultaneously with the process of discovery by a subject or group. Example: "The students will gain a deeper understanding of the subject as they discover new concepts through hands-on experiments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You hear the evidence as they discover what happened.

The New Yorker

They change and grow as they discover a new world.

The Guardian - Film

But poems can be political insofar as they discover the paradigmatic.

Stanford University

Robert's daughter comes as they discover the body and Peter takes her out to dinner.

The New Yorker

New generations discover her as they discover The Catcher in the Rye.

The Guardian - Books

The three-volume novel tells of Aomame and Tengo as they discover that they inhabit a strange parallel universe.

The Guardian - Books

As they discover, all across the city, the real business isn't on show, but going on under the surface.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And they are excavating what feels like a slowly decaying time capsule as they discover the things they left behind.

The New York Times

They failed to attract any significant figure because their self-described modernising project was relatively shallow, as they discover now with their party having another row about Europe.

Independent

But after a wild night on the town, the pair bark panicked commands at each other as they discover the unmatched horrors of hung-over diaper-changing.

The New York Times - Magazine

They allow themselves to feel the full power of others, as they discover their contemporaries in a new light, the light of sex and romance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they discover" to highlight a simultaneous process of learning or uncovering information alongside another action or event.

Common error

Avoid using "as they discover" to describe events that happen after the discovery is complete. The phrase implies simultaneity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they discover" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause that indicates a simultaneous action or event occurring alongside the process of discovery. This is supported by Ludwig examples that show different actors experiencing a shift in status along with the act of discovery, for example a shift in feelings, new information and so on.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they discover" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction, indicating simultaneity between a process of discovery and another event. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific publications. While highly frequent, it's important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the discovery truly occurs concurrently with the other described event, avoiding its misuse for subsequent actions. When other events unfold after a discovery has concluded, it's more appropriate to employ terms like “after discovering”. Alternatives such as "as they realize" or "while they're finding out" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis, but "as they discover" remains a powerful and effective way to link actions with the unfolding of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they realize

Focuses more on the moment of understanding or comprehension rather than the process of finding out.

while they're finding out

Emphasizes the duration of the process of discovery.

as they come to know

Highlights the gradual accumulation of knowledge.

when they learn

Shifts the focus to the acquisition of knowledge, without necessarily implying a process of uncovering something new.

in the process of finding

Emphasizes the active search for something.

during their exploration

Implies a more deliberate and investigatory approach.

as they perceive

Focuses on sensory input and interpretation.

upon their awareness

Highlights the attainment of knowledge.

while investigating

Stresses a careful and detailed examination.

uncovering

Implies revealing something previously hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "as they discover" in a sentence?

Use "as they discover" to show that something happens at the same time that someone is finding something out. For example, "The mystery deepened as they discover new clues."

What can I say instead of "as they discover"?

You can use alternatives like "as they realize", "while they're finding out", or "as they come to know" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as they discovered it" instead of "as they discover"?

While grammatically sound, "as they discovered it" implies that the act of discovering is already complete at the point of reference. "As they discover" emphasizes the process of discovery occurring concurrently with another event.

What's the difference between "as they discover" and "when they discover"?

"As they discover" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the discovery process alongside another action, while "when they discover" highlights the moment of discovery as a trigger for a subsequent action.